Soil moisture reserves are adequate except in some areas in northern Senegal and Niger. Early millet and sorghum are maturing or reaching harvest stage in most productive zones. Satellite images for the first dekad of October indicate that cloud coverage continued over most producing zones of Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso and Chad but diminished over Mauritania, north-eastern Burkina Faso and Niger. Precipitation remained above normal in southern and central Senegal, Mali, western Burkina Faso and southern Chad. Overall, good harvests are anticipated in most countries.
Pastures are abundant and of good quality, notably in Mauritania.
A small outbreak of Desert Locusts occurred in northern Mali as a result of exceptionally good breeding conditions. Limited breeding has also been reported in Mauritania. Elsewhere, no significant developments are expected. Where average annual precipitation ranges between 250 and 500 mm. This zone is at the limit of perennial vegetation.