Seasonably dry conditions prevail. Gu ra and Salamat departments.
Yields are lower than last year due to shortage of water and grain-eating birds attacks.
Following this reduced harvest, the food supply situation is tight in the structurally deficit areas of the Sahelian zone but some farmers stocks are still available following 1998 and 1999 bumper crops. Unusual population movements were reported from several cantons of Lac Department to major urban centres, southern Chad or the Lake Chad area. In the Sudanian Zone, the food situation is also worsening in the rice producing areas, notably in Mayo-Kebbi department. The cotton harvest in the south is also anticipated to be reduced, but groundnut production is good. Prices of millet increased in February in the Sahelian zone.