Following generally above normal rains in May, precipitation remained abundant in the west in early and mid-June and in the centre in mid and late June. Above normal rains were registered in the centre-east in early and mid-July and in the south-west in late July while they remained generally widespread and regular in the other regions. Cumulative rainfall as of 31 July is reported normal to above normal for most meteorological stations of the south and the centre. It is well below normal in Kayes, Mopti and Nara. Coarse grains are growing satisfactorily in the south and are emerging in the Sahelian zone, while rice is emerging or being transplanted in the “offices-riz”. Pastures are regenerating satisfactorily and water is abundant in water points.
Grasshopper infestations are reported on millet and sorghum in the Sahelian zone, notably in Dilly, Fallou, Mourdiah and Sébété areas where some replantings have been necessary. Caterpillars attacked young sorghum in Kirané area. Groups of Desert Locust adults appeared in June in the Adrar des Iforas and west of Tombouctou near Lac Faguibine and Lac Fate, where conditions were favourable for breeding. Nomads reported a large swarm in the Tilemsi Valley and in the Timetrine area but control operation teams could find only low densities of adults during further surveys. Low numbers of solitary adults are expected to persist in some parts of the Adrar des Iforas, Timetrine and Tilemsi as well as further west near Tombouctou. Others are likely to be present or appear near Gourma and Nioro. These are likely to breed on a small scale in those areas where conditions are favourable. These small locust numbers are unlikely to affect the food supply situation.
The overall food supply situation is satisfactory. Prices of cereals remain below last year and supply of cereals is adequate. Fodder supply is scarce in Kidal region and in Almoustarat arrondissement of Gao region where terms of trade for pastoralists are generally less favourable than last year. Following the collapse of a dam on Lake Horo in Tombouctou region, more than 1 000 hectares usually cultivated to off-season crops were flooded, leaving about 30 000 persons without production, needing external assistance. The national early warning system recommended that the national marketing board organize intervention sales in several arrondissements in Kidal and in Tombouctou region, in order to cover needs in the Lake Horo area. For the 1996/97 marketing year (November/October), the cereal import requirement is estimated at 100 000 tons and food aid requirement at 35 000 tons. Food assistance is also being given to Tuaregs who have returned from neighbouring countries.