The start of the rainy season is delayed. The weather remained mostly dry until early August on all islands. This situation may seriously affect crop production as planting of maize normally starts in July. Land preparation and early dry plantings are underway on most producing islands, notably on Santiago island.
Following the 2001 reduced harvest, 45 830 kilograms of bean seeds and 67 000
kilograms of maize seeds have been distributed with the assistance of an FAO
emergency project. The Government also organized seeds distribution.