MAURITANIA:

Prospects for rainfed and recession crops are favourable reflecting abundant precipitation which, however, caused substantial flooding of irrigated rice fields. Following abundant rains in mid and late August, precipitation decreased significantly during the first dekad of September in all productive zones. The rains resumed during the second dekad and were widespread and above normal in the south. They remained quite abundant in late September. Cumulative rainfall is generally above normal. Millet and sorghum are in the heading/maturing stages. Early planted crops are now being harvested. The high level reached by the Senegal river caused substantial flooding in Brakna, Gorgol and Trarza. Almost 2 000 hectares are flooded in Gorgol (of which 1 300 hectares are under rice) and 1 000 hectares in Trarza. In Brakna, the impact of flooding is not fully evaluated as some areas are completely isolated by water.

Pastures continue to develop. Low numbers of Desert Locusts were reported in September in Brakna west of Moudjeria, in Tagant near Tidjikja, in the Akoukar region near Aïoun El Atrous and north of Nema. Limited breeding started in early September and is expected to continue in Brakna and Aouker Aïoun, and will almost certainly extend to Trarza, northern Assaba and the two Hodhs. Once vegetation starts to dry out, locusts are likely to concentrate and form small groups. Some may also start to appear further north in Inchiri and Adrar.

A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission is scheduled from 18 to 22 October to estimate 1999 cereal production.
 

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

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