Reflecting adequate rains in August and September, a normal overall harvest is in prospect. Following erratic and below average rains until late June, which necessitated replantings in most regions and shortened the growing season, precipitation improved significantly in July and August. It remained generally adequate during the first two dekads of September, except in the north. However, satellite imagery shows that rainfall decreased in most regions in late September. Due to the erratic start of the rainy season, stages of crop development vary greatly in the regions and are generally late compared to normal years. In the south and west, cereals are generally maturing, while in the north they are in the heading stage. Overall, a normal harvest is anticipated. In the north, however, yield potential might be reduced by the poor rains of September.
In the north, 1 474.5 hectares of crops have been infected by army worms, 1 142.5 hectares of which have been treated.
A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission is scheduled from 14 to 21 October to estimate the 2002 cereal production.
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