GUINEA BISSAU
Abundant rains in July benefited coarse grains development and desalination of swamp rice fields. Following somewhat reduced rains in mid and late June, precipitation improved significantly in early July and remained widespread and abundant over the entire country in mid and late July. Rainfall generally exceeded 100 mm during the second and third dekads except in the centre where it decreased in mid July but became abundant in late July (34.4 mm during the second dekad and 190.4 mm during the third in Fulacunda meteorological station). By contrast, rainfall decreased significantly in early August over the entire country. In the east, maize is in the elongation or even the maturation stage. Insect attacks are reported in most regions and free pesticide distributions have been organized. Therefore, coarse grains are developing satisfactorily in the east and the north. Preparation of upland and swamp rice fields is well underway and transplanting from seed beds is about to start.
