Suggestions for new areas to allow a more focused monitoring are welcome. Angola Satellite imagery indicates a normal start of the season, and good seasonal progression up to mid-December, when conditions went slightly below normal, to date, especially in the central parts of Angola. Crops are reported at vegetative stages where agricultural activities have been carried out. Since the beginning of the season, no significant planting rains have fallen, a situation likely to result in a significant reduction in area planted. The season so far has been characterized by long dry spells, accompanied with very high temperatures.
Cumulative rainfall remains below normal for most parts of the country.
In general rainfall distribution was poor both over space and time. For those farmers who managed to plant crops, especially maize, their crops are stunted and under severe moisture stress. Pastures and livestock condition ranges from poor to fair with some improvements in the wet areas. Lesotho Lesotho experienced a long dry spell during the first two dekads of January, with the rainfall situation improving during the third dekad. The dry conditions, accompanied by high temperatures, experienced since the end of December, resulted in crops experiencing severe water stress during this period.