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Sahel Report , No. 2, 2006

Year of publication 2006

Pages 6

Author Trade and Markets Division

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Series title Sahel Weather and Crop Situation Report

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) After the first rains in southern Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali and Niger in May, precipitation remained irregular and below normal in these countries until the third dekad of June. The erratic rains have stressed crops, and re-plantings were carried-out in several areas. Precipitation improved somewhat in Burkina Faso in end-June/early July, but dry weather conditions continue to delay plantings and to affect crops in other countries, notably in Niger, where yield potential may be seriously compromi sed if the situation does not improve in July. By contrast, crop growing conditions have been more favourable in the western part of the Sahel, where rains started in June. In Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia, Mauritania and Senegal, land preparation and plantings are in progress following the onset of the rains. Seasonably dry conditions continue to prevail only in Cape Verde. The Desert Locusts situation is calm but isolated adults were reported in Niger and are probably present in the summer breedin g areas on the Sahel. Grasshoppers, army worms and grain-eating birds are also reported in a few countries. The overall food supply situation remains satisfactory in the subregion. However, serious localized food insecurity is reported in several countries, notably in Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania and Niger, due mostly to lack of access to food. In the latter country, 60 percent of the population is food insecure or at-risk according to the latest Vulnerability Assessment Survey done by the Go vernment, jointly with FAO, FEWSNet and WFP. As a result, the Government has reportedly started subsidized sales of about 20 000 tonnes of cereal in vulnerable communities.

Language English

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