Following abundant rains in late July and early August which caused localized flooding, precipitation decreased in mid-August. Rains picked up and remained widespread over the entire country in September and early October. Well above normal late rains were registered during the second dekad of October.
Cumulative rainfall is generally above normal.
Reflecting these good rains, crop conditions remained generally satisfactory. Pastures were generally abundant. Grasshopper attacks have been reported in the north and centre-north and treatments have been undertaken. The 2000 cereal production is estimated at 1.072 million tonnes which is about 14 percent above average. Following two successive bumper harvests, the overall food situation is satisfactory.