There have been some defaults in the delivery of sorghum in Addis Ababa and Kombolcha because of grain price increases and decreased availability. Delays in the delivery of locally purchased food continue in many parts of the country. Traders have complained that the main reason for this is the fact that donors are no longer assisting with advance payments thus forcing suppliers to entirely pre-finance their operations. Discussions between donors and traders on this issue are still pending. There are too many operations running simultaneously, that are being undertaken by the same company, i.e. a company has contracts with EuronAid, WFP, and EU to a variety of destinations with the same completion date.
Suppliers claim that the quality specifications are too stringent.
There is concern that the stocks of cereals available for purchase are lower than was first envisaged. Armyworm problem being tackled The Agriculture Department of South Omo Zone said that pesticide is being sprayed to control an armyworm infestation that broke out on 460 hectares of land in Hamer Bena Woreda. Some of the peasant farmers, whose crops have been destroyed as a result of the infestation which occurred at the beginning of May, have started re-cultivating their land. Spraying equipment and pesticide has also been dispatched to Kuraz Woreda where infestation is feared likely to occur. Dimma 6,778 Fugnido 12,275 Total 30.667 New ration cards were issued to all these refugees.