- The second updated seasonal rainfall outlook issued by the ACMAD in June of this year predicts normal rainfall conditions, tending toward below–normal from July through September. If this forecast holds true, on the whole, the country should have an average harvest.
- A look at the progress of the 2009/10 growing season in July shows a normalization of rainfall conditions after the pattern of low, poorly distributed rainfall in May and June. Plowing and planting activities for coarse grain crops are underway. Following harvests of off–season rice crops in irrigation schemes managed by the Office du Niger and Office du Développement Rizicole de Sélingué agricultural development agencies, this phase of the current growing season is devoted to land preparation, seedbed preparation, and initial transplanting activities.
- Pasturelands are growing back and animal watering holes are being replenished as the rainy season gradually gets underway. A look at the conditions of natural vegetation (NDVI) as of July 10, 2009 confirms steadily advancing new pasture growth from south to north, with a more severe pasture deficit in the country's Sahelian belt running from the northern reaches of the Koulikoro region to the southern reaches of the Gao region.
- The hunger season, which runs from July through September and, in some cases, into October, will be marked by the usual tightening of grain supplies and upswing in prices on markets around the country. All households, particularly poor households, will be turning to the market once their own grain reserves are depleted. The steady upward trend in prices is weakening household purchasing power in general and that of poor households in particular.
