CAPE VERDE (11 September)
The onset of regular rains in late July permitted widespread maize plantings on the agricultural islands. Rains continued in early August and became more abundant at the end of the month. Soil moisture reserves are adequate in most areas. Crops are emerging satisfactorily. Pastures are regenerating well and the overall pest situation is calm.
Following the poor harvest in 2002, cereal import requirements for the marketing year 2002/03 (November/October) were estimated at 108 518 tonnes. Cape Verde is a beneficiary of WFP’s Regional Emergency Operation (EMOP) launched in December 2002 for 5 drought-affected countries in the west of the Sahel, with an allocation of 2 400 tonnes of food.