SITUATION IN THE
COASTAL COUNTRIES
BENIN:
After the start of the rainy season in late March, rainfall was widespread
and abundant in April, May and June. Well above average rainfall occurred
in April over the centre and in June over the south of the country. Flooding
occurred in June in Cotonou and Porto Novo. Precipitation decreased in
July and early August and stopped in some areas, allowing the harvest of
the first maize crop in the south. They resumed and became widespread in
mid August and in September. The vegetation index from satellite imagery
shows normal to above normal vegetation in September. The second maize
crop is growing satisfactorily, while millet and sorghum are currently
harvested in the north. Prospects for the 1997/98 output are good in Atacora
province, mixed in Borgou, being about normal in the southern part of the
country
CAMEROON:
Rainfall started in early March over the south, moved towards the north
during the second and third dekads, allowing the planting of the main maize
crop. Rains remained abundant and widespread but decreased in July and
early August in the south, allowing the harvest of the first maize crop.
Cumulative rainfall as of the end of September is above average over the
whole country. Harvest of millet and sorghum is drawing to an end in the
north, while the second maize crop is growing satisfactorily in the centre.
The prospects for the 1997 output are above average. However, African migratory
locusts infestations are likely to develop in northern Cameroon, from recently
reported swarms in southern Chad and could damage the millet and sorghum
crops.
COTE D’IVOIRE:
Light rains, which started in the south in early March became very abundant
during the third dekad of the month over the whole country and remained
widespread and abundant in April. In May, rainfall decreased in the first
and second dekads, resumed towards the end of the month and remained abundant
in June. A significant reduction occurred in July, August and early September
over the south and the centre, where precipitation has been well below
normal. In the north, millet and sorghum are currently being harvested
and a good harvest is expected following favourable growing conditions.
In the south, rice is being harvested and the planting of the second maize
crop, which usually takes place in late August/early September has only
started in late September. The second maize crop output might be poor if
the rainy season stops before maturity. It is expected that the main maize
and rice crops would also be reduced by the dry period.
GHANA:
Rainfall started in early March in the south and became abundant over the
entire country towards the end of the month. Rains remained abundant and
widespread until the third dekad of June when they decreased significantly.
Rainfall decreased in the south and the centre during July and the two
first dekads of August, and increased from late August to September. Although
August is usually a dry period in the south, the dry period was longer
than usual this year, and might have affected the rice and maize production
in this area, as well as delayed the planting of the second maize crop.
Millet and sorghum are currently being harvested in the north and prospects
are favourable.
GUINEA:
Rains started in late March in the extreme south-east, increased in the
south in April and became abundant over the entire country from May to
September. Cumulative precipitation as of the end of September is above
average. The main food crops are currently being harvested and output is
expected to be above average.
NIGERIA:
Rains started in mid March in the south, remained abundant and widespread,
moving northwards in April and continued to be abundant and above average
in May/June. Below average rainfall was recorded in the south and the centre
during July and early August but might not have strongly affected crop
production. Satellite imagery shows about average vegetation in the south
and above average in the north and overall crop prospects are good. In
the south and the centre, the second maize crop is growing satisfactorily
while irrigated rice is being harvested. African migratory locust infestations
are likely to develop in north-eastern Nigeria, from recently reported
swarms in southern Chad and could damage millet and sorghum crops that
are currently being harvested.
SIERRA LEONE:
Rice, which is the main cereal, is currently being harvested in secure
areas, but insecurity severely hampered the planting of the main crops,
which normally takes place from April to June. People will increasingly
rely on cassava, as this crop can remain stored in the ground and requires
low inputs and maintenance. Contrary to previous expectations resulting
from the return to peace, planted areas are likely to have been sharply
reduced. For all planted crops, the reduction of farming activities at
a critical period in the crop growing cycle will sharply reduce yields
and total production. Thus, prospects for 1997 food production have deteriorated
and the country will continue to rely heavily on food aid.
TOGO:
The rainy season started in late March and precipitation remained abundant
and widespread in April, May and June, decreased in July and stopped in
some areas, allowing the harvest of the first maize crop in the south.
Rains resumed and became abundant in mid August and in September. As a
result of generally good climatic conditions, cereal output in 1997 is
expected to be above average. Millet and sorghum are being harvested in
the north. Rice is being harvested and the second maize crop is growing
satisfactorily in the south.
