Seasonably dry conditions prevail. The aggregate cereal output in 1997 is estimated at 84 750 tonnes, some 24 percent lower than last year and substantially below average. This is largely due to the sharp decline in the outputs of maize and upland rice as a result of a long dry spell in July/August.
Following this reduced harvest, the food supply situation will be tighter in 1998 than in 1997. The most affected areas are Badibou and Jokadou in the North Bank Division (NBD), Saloum in the northern part of Central River Division (CRD); Wulli and Sandou in the north of the Upper River Division (URD). However, good prospects for groundnut production are likely to ease the income situation of farmers in some areas.