Rainfall was poorly distributed in 1997. The rains arrived at the end of August, one month later than normal and stopped in early October when the maize was at flowering stage. Most of the crops planted in July on Santiago and Fogo Islands were lost and resowing was undertaken on both islands. The first two dekads of September were very wet on all the islands and favoured maize growth. However, the lack of rainfall beginning in the second dekad of October coincided with the flowering phase and adversely affected the maize crop in the archipelago.
The pest situation was relatively calm, though locust infestation on Santiago, Maio and Boavista, caused some damage to the maize crop and pasture. Heavy rains of August and September replenished groundwater, thus extending the irrigated area and improving livestock nutrition and health in pastoral areas.
The improved rainfall on Santiago and San Nicolau and seed availability enabled planting of a larger area to maize: 33 311 hectares this year against 32 127 hectares in 1996/97, an increase of 3.7 percent. This represents an increase in planted area of 2 percent relative to the five-year average. However, the lack of rain in October wiped out the maize crop everywhere except on the islands of Santiago and Fogo, where the harvest prospects are slightly better. National maize output is estimated at 1 137 tons against 1 304 tons in 1996/97, a drop of 13 percent. This is the worst harvest since 1987 and is 84 percent below the five-year average.
Despite the two successive reductions in harvest, the overall food supply situation will remain satisfactory as the country imports the bulk of its consumption requirement. However, rural populations, notably in the semi-arid or arid zones, will be severely affected and may need assistance.