NIGERIA (21 February)
Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Land preparation for the first maize crop is underway in the South. Plantings will start with the arrival of rains, usually in March. Reflecting generally favourable growing conditions during the 2002 rainy season, an average to above-average harvest is anticipated.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Some population groups, however, remain vulnerable following communal conflicts notably in the states of Benue, Nasarawa and Taraba. From April to June 2002, more than 85 000 IDPs have been resettled in their home villages in central region.