MAURITANIA:
Reduced precipitation in July severely affected crops planted following
good early rains of June. The first significant rains which reached
the centre-south in early June and progressed in the south and the east
in mid and late June permitted an early planting of coarse grains. However,
mostly dry weather persisted in July in the south-west while precipitation
decreased significantly in mid and late July in the south-east. Dry weather
was persisting in early August. As a result, most “dieri” rainfed crops
plantings failed. Replantings are necessary but seed availability is limited.
By contrast, prospects are more favourable for the irrigated sector where
it is anticipated that larger areas can be sown.
Aerial and ground treatments against grain eating birds have been undertaken
in several areas. During surveys carried out in the first half of July,
solitary Desert Locust appeared in the summer breeding areas of the south,
at a few places between Kiffa and Tidjikja. By the end of the month, isolated
adults were also present between Nema and the Malian border to the east
and south-east. Locust numbers will increase slightly in the central and
eastern areas of the south as a result of solitary breeding which is expected
to be on a small scale and patchy. Adults may also appear in the south-west
and lay if rainfall occurs.
