NIGER (8 October)
Rainfall has been generally widespread and soil moisture adequate, allowing satisfactory development of crops, although localised rainfall deficits may have affected pasture regeneration in the pastoral zones of Tillabery and western Tahoua regions. Overall harvest prospects are favourable.
During the first round of general food distribution in August and early September, WFP, the Government and NGO partners coordinated their pipelines to reach 3 million people in urgent need of food aid.
A joint Government/FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission is scheduled from 17 October to 5 November to estimate the 2005 cereal production and assess the livestock and food security situations in the country.