Sahel Report No 4/98 Coastal Countries

SITUATION IN THE COASTAL COUNTRIES

Following a late start of the season in the coastal countries of western Africa, growing conditions are generally favourable, except in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire which experienced dry weather. The situation is uncertain in Nigeria, where erratic rainfall in the north could have reduced crop output. The cereal output in Sierra Leone is expected to be below last year's level following additional population displacements while production should be close to last year in Liberia.

BENIN:

Rains were widespread in July and August over the whole country. The first maize crop and rice are being harvested. Satellite vegetation images show above normal vegetation in the south and the north, but slightly below average vegetation in the centre, around Parakou and maize and millet production could be reduced in this area. Overall crop prospects are favourable following adequate growing conditions in most parts of the country.

CAMEROON:

Abundant and widespread rains benefited crop development in July and August. Precipitation was particularly abundant during the second and third dekad of July and again during the second dekad of August when there was above normal rainfall countrywide. Precipitation decreased during the third dekad of August and in early September but was sufficient to meet crop water needs. Therefore, coarse grains are developing satisfactorily and crop prospects are favourable.

Undisplayed Graphic

COTE D’IVOIRE:

Cumulative rainfall since the beginning of the season has been normal to below normal but rains remained widespread and prospects for the 1998 crops are about normal. Satellite vegetation images show above average vegetation over the whole country. However, reduced rainfall in June and July could have hampered crop production in the south where the main maize and rice crops are currently being harvested.

GHANA:

Prospects remain uncertain for cereals. Below average rains were recorded in July and August in the centre, and could reduce the output of the main maize and rice crops which were at the maturing stage during this period and are now harvested. Limited and erratic rainfall in June over the Upper regions could also have affected millet and sorghum production in these areas. In contrast, good growing conditions prevailed in the south where maize production is expected to be above average.

GUINEA:

Following widespread and abundant rainfall during the whole growing season, the main cereal crops are maturing and overall prospects for the 1998 production are favourable. However, satellite vegetation images show below normal vegetation in Fouta Djallon and Boké areas where reduced rains in July could have affected rice and maize production.

LIBERIA

Abundant rainfall during the whole growing season allowed good development of the rice crop, which is about to be harvested. Although substantial input distributions were carried out during the beginning of the growing season, severe seed shortages were reported in the rural areas and will have limited the output. The 1998 cereal output is expected to be close to last year's level.

Undisplayed Graphic

NIGERIA:

Satellite vegetation imagery show below normal vegetation in the north, in Sokoto, Katsina, Kano, Bauchi and Borno states, which resulted from limited rains during the start of the growing season. This could limit the 1998 wheat and sorghum production in these areas. Overall growing conditions have been favourable in the centre and the south and the output for the main maize and rice crops, which are currently being harvested, should be close to last year's level. However, shortages of fertilisers, improved seeds and pesticides are again expected to limit maize and rice production for the second year. The government is tentatively forecasting a 12 percent reduction of rice production.

SIERRA LEONE:

Harvest prospects for the 1998 growing season are poorer than last year. The planted area is estimated to be substantially lower than last year, as two thirds of the country are still unsecured and large population displacements occurred during the growing season. An acute shortage of rice seed in the country further limited production. Flooding occurred in the Kambia and Mambolo areas, and destroyed rice fields.

TOGO:

Rains remained limited but widespread in July and August. The harvest of the main maize and rice crops is underway. The late start of the growing season and limited rainfall during the two dekads of May and the first dekad of June might have reduced crop output in the south. In the centre and the north, maize, millet and sorghum crops benefited from adequate growing conditions and the output is expected to be normal to above normal.