After erratic and below-normal rains at the beginning of the season, that delayed sowings of cereals by 2 – 6 weeks, better precipitation occurred from July onwards, notably in the Sudanian zone. Pasture is adequate in both the Sudanian and Sahelian zones. However, in July, shortage of pasture in the departments of Dadaba, Baguirmi and Hadjer Lamis, resulted in some losses of livestock. Grasshopper attacks and army worm infestations were reported in several regions early in the season. In September, grasshoppers caused damage to crops in several areas of the Sahelian zone.
A joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Mission which visited the country in mid-October provisionally estimated the aggregate output of cereals at 1.12 million tonnes, 15 percent below last year’s above average level of 1.31 million tonnes and only fractionally lower than the average for the previous five years.
Despite this year’s reduced crop, the overall food supply position is satisfactory. However, people in the areas previously affected by floods and those living in the structural deficit areas of Karem and Bahr El Ghazel will continue to be in need of food assistance. Prices of cereals this year remained mostly stable compared to 2001 and started to decline with the arrival of the new crop on the markets.