The prospects for the 2002 cereal harvest are favourable despite the erratic starts of the growing season in most regions that delayed plantings. Regular and widespread rains from August through October improved crop conditions countrywide with the exception of the northern regions and Sahel. Pastures are adequate in southern and western areas but insufficient in the north and Sahel. The locust situation remained mostly calm despite some attacks of cantharid and other insects which were adequately controlled.
A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission that visited the country recently, estimated 2002 aggregate cereal production at 3.28 million tonnes (rice in paddy equivalent). This is five percent above last year’s level and markedly higher than the average for the last five years. Compared to 2001, maize production increased by 14 percent, rice by 5 percent and sorghum and millet by 4 percent and 3 percent, respectively.
The overall food supply situation remained satisfactory during the lean season July-September. Reflecting this year’s good harvest, the food supply position will improve also in those areas where it had tightened before the harvest as a result of low production, depleted stocks and sharp increase in cereal market prices which limited access to food.