16th July 2013
Dryness over the bi-modal zone will adversely affect maize harvest in July
KEY MESSAGES
In much of the bi-modal zone, rainfall levels in mid-June ranged from approximately 10 to 100+ mm below-average (Figures 1 and 2). These recent deficits are in addition to significant rainfall deficits that occurred in much of this zone in late April. As a result, a significant decline in maize yields is expected for the first season harvest in July.
Parts of eastern Senegal, western Mali, and eastern Nigeria experienced below-average total rainfall levels and poor temporal rainfall distribution during May and June. According to ground reports, this caused planting activities to be delayed. However improved precipitation levels in early July have partially mitigated the effects of earlier deficits and a normal harvest is still anticipated for October.
In the Guinean-Sudanian zone, rainfall levels have varied from above-average over Sierra Leone and Guinea to slightly below-average in eastern areas. However throughout this zone, crops are developing normally.