THE GAMBIA:
Crop prospects improved in August following dry spell of mid-July. Following above normal precipitation in June, which permitted the start of plantings, rains decreased somewhat in early July and stopped during the second dekad. They resumed during the third dekad but remained generally below normal up to mid-August, affecting especially the early millet crop. Abundant rains have been registered in late August and early September. Development stages of the major crops vary from vegetative to grain formation stages. Maize is in the cob formation stage and late millet fields are tillering/elongating. Transplanting of rice is still underway. An assessment mission with FAO/WFP/NGOs and national services was organised in late August to review the impact of the dry spell on crops. The mission report is expected to be available shortly
Grain eating birds have been reported on early millet and maize. Blister beetles also attacked early millet in some regions.
