Sahel Report No 2/98 Mauritania

MAURITANIA:

First rains in June allowed plantings in some areas. The first significant rains were received in the south and south-east on 11, 16, 20-21 and 24 June. They permitted first localised planting of coarse grains in Guidimaka region. Elsewhere, seasonably dry conditions still prevail. Land preparation is underway.

Following the first rains, pastures have started to grow in the south and south-west of Hodh El Gharbi. Treatments against grain eating birds have been undertaken in Gorgol and Trarza. No Desert Locust activity has been reported. However, numbers will increase in the summer breeding areas of the south and centre. Laying on a small scale is expected to occur with the onset of the seasonal rains and scattered solitary hoppers may appear.

**Satellite Images (Cold Cloud Duration for the last three dekads)**

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