Most rainfed crops failed following dry weather in July. Following first significant early rains in June, which permitted early planting of coarse grains, dry weather occurred in July. As a result, most “dieri” (rainfed) crop plantings failed. Rainfall resumed in early August in the southern and south-eastern regions, allowing replantings but the weather was still relatively dry until early September in the western Brakna and Traza region. On 1 September the Government declared a national disaster and appealed for emergency food aid. Dieri production represents about one-third of total cereal production in a normal year.
Pastures are now growing satisfactorily in the south and south-east. Aerial and ground treatments against grain-eating birds are underway in Trarza Department where pest control teams had treated 2 911 hectares as of 20 August. Isolated adult desert locusts have been reported in the south and the centre. It is forecast that small-scale breeding will occur, causing a slight increase in the numbers of locusts in these regions.
Legend |