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Growing conditions remain favourable. Rains were generally widespread and above normal in July and August, but seasonably decreased in September. although remaining widespread over the main producing zones. Rainfed crops are developing satisfactorily. Prospects for off-season recession crops are less favourable than last year as dams are not filled and the Senegal river did not reach its maximum level. Irrigated rice has been planted with some delays in Brakna and Gorgol but production should recover from last year when large areas were flooded in the lower Senegal river valley.
Pastures are good to excellent countrywide but are starting to dry up. Grasshopper attacks have been reported but mainly on pastures. A total of 878 hectares have been treated against grain eating birds, notably in Trarza. Low numbers of Desert Locusts were reported during September in parts of Trarza, Brakna, Tagant, and the two Hodhs. Small scale breeding was reported north of Moudjeria. More breeding on a small scale is expected during October in areas which recently received good rainfall. As a result, locust numbers will increase slightly and new adults could start to appear from November onwards. Once the vegetation starts to dry out, adults are likely to move north towards Inchiri and Adrar.
A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission is scheduled from 14 to 20 October to estimate the 2000 cereal production.
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