The growing season has started on time with first significant rains registered in mid or late April in the Sudanian and Sahelian zones. Planting of coarse grains is underway in the south and will progress northwards following the onset of regular rains. African Migratory Locusts were reported in mid- May in Linia region, east of N’Djamena, as well as in some villages along the Logone River.
Following an above average harvest in 1997, the overall food supply situation is better than in 1996/97. However, the national early warning system (SAP) recommended provision of 5 155 tonnes of food aid to assist about 237 000 people for up to four months in areas classified as at risk of food supply difficulties in the Sahelian zone. In addition, about 5 000 tonnes are needed to cover needs in the Sudanian and Saharan zones. About 10 000 tonnes of cereals are to be purchased with some donor assistance to replenish the national security stock, which has a recommended level of 22 000 tonnes and which was exhausted at the end of the last growing season.