Crop conditions favourable

USAID’s Famine Early Warning System (FEWS) has said that crop conditions are “generally good” and favourable harvests are anticipated in most of southern Sudan due to abundant rainfall. In its latest report, FEWS said many farmers have received crop seeds and have managed to plant them, “easing fears of another devastating famine in southern Sudan this year”. It said production increases are most significant in Western Equatoria, Lakes Region, Bor county and Upper Nile/Jonglei region. It also reported that malnutrition levels have improved since late June, when a seasonal rise in malnutrition normally occurs. Pasture conditions are reportedly satisfactory in most regions, especially in Upper Nile region, although flooding has constrained access to some areas. FEWS said that preliminary results from Operation Lifeline Sudan’s (OLS) Annual Needs Assessment (ANA) exercises suggest poor and erratic rainfall levels have however caused crop failures in sizeable areas of eastern Equatoria and Jonglei. It said in Kapoeta county, eastern Equatoria, low crop yields have led to depleted livestock holdings. Food shortages are also expected in northern Bahr el Ghazal region, particularly in Gogrial and Aweil east counties as well as parts of Kordofan and Darfur regions. It also reported that food needs are great among a large number of returnees from the north in Atukuel and Panthou in Aweil east county.