SENEGAL (11 September)
Precipitation increased significantly in the centre and the north, where mostly dry conditions prevailed until late July. Although cumulative rainfall as of late August was still below average in most of the Saint Louis, Louga and Diourbel regions, soil moisture reserves are generally adequate for satisfactory crop development. However, the final outcome in these regions will depend heavily on the continuation of the rains through mid-October. In the south and east precipitation has been regular and abundant, causing flooding in several areas. Millet and sorghum are generally at the heading stage in the south. Maize is maturing. Rice is growing satisfactorily, although some fields have been overflooded following heavy rains in August. In the north, coarse grains are tillering/leafing. Overall crop conditions are reported to be much better than last year and cereal production is expected to increase.
In response to the tight food situation following the poor harvests in 2002, the government distributed about 54 000 tonnes of rice to rural households in 2002 and 50 000 tonnes in 2003. Senegal is a beneficiary of WFP’s Regional EMOP launched in December 2002 for five drought-affected countries in the west of the Sahel, with an allocation of 3 000 tonnes of food for the 23 300 most vulnerable people.