Following first significant early rains in June, which permitted early planting of coarse grains, dry weather occurred in July and early August.
Dieri production represents about one third of total cereal production in a normal year.
Replantings when rains resumed in mid-August were limited by insufficient seed availability. Abundant and widespread rains in late August and early September filled the water reservoirs. Thus, prospects for production below dams improved significantly and pastures are now growing satisfactorily. Prospects are more favourable than last year for the irrigated rice sector as larger areas could be sown. A few isolated Desert Locust adults have been seen throughout August near Kiffa and Nema.