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afrol News, 31 January - Unexpected winter rains in Mauritania may cause better harvest, but also increases chances for crop destruction. As yet, there have been no sightings of any locusts, but falling rain at this time of year may create conditions ripe for infestation. According to an update by the US based Famine Early Warning System (FEWS), the registered winter rains over Mauritania are a mixed blessing. The winter rains begun in the northern reaches of the country (Tiris Zemmour, Adrar, Tagant and Inchiri Regions). Rainfall totals are high enough in some parts of the country that they are helping to spur the growth of vegetation in grazing areas. - In the past, certain groups of farmers would take advantage of these rains to grow sorghum in depression areas and along interdune corridors, FEWS states. "Yields from these crops have traditionally been good, since this land is left to lie fallow for long periods of time." - The rains also offer residents of northern Tiris Zemmour an opportunity to replenish their water supplies, with area households hollowing out small reservoirs to catch runoff, the FEWS update says. "For these households, this is the simplest method of accessing fresh water, with underground fresh water levels lying several dozen meters below the surface (anywhere from 80 to 100 meters)." On the other hand, the rainfall in Trarza and Assaba made herdsmen in the south concerned over rotting vegetation. "The entire stock-raising community is worried that the rains will destroy other grazing areas, forcing animal herds to begin their seasonal treks to rainy season grazing lands far ahead of schedule," FEWS reports. There are also fears that the rains could provoke locusts' infection. In contrast, farmers growing flood recession crops are extremely pleased with this unexpected windfall, which is strengthening the water reserves of area soils. The food security situation in Mauritania had not improved by the winter rains. Prices of traditional grains were moving up on most markets around the country. Grain supplies remained tight and imports (grain transfers from Mali and Senegal) were extremely limited, FEWS reports. Further, the food situation in the north and in city slums continued to deteriorate in the face of steadily climbing prices for staple food products, FEWS reports. While fish prices continued to fall, the downward trend in meat prices had reversed itself. Only sorghum and milk had been affected by the price hikes feared by consumers. Conditions in the Senegal River Valley were especially poor, and all signs pointed to a further deterioration in the food situation in this area in the face of what can barely be considered as "average" irrigated crop yields.
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