Africa. The perf erma nee of the primary sector in North Africa was disastrous: output is reported to have declined by 4. 3 per cent in 1981, compared to an increase of 3.7 per cent in the previous year. In \'lest Africa the prirr.ary sectcr continued to record neqative qrowth rates in beth 1980 and 1981. 3. In sharp contrast to 1981, production in North Africa picked up in 1982, mainly as a result of qood rainfall ir: parts of Al­ qeria, Morocco and northern Tunisia. In Eastern Africa, the weather in October 1982 was favourable for harvestinq and late crop development in Kenya, and aided the ccmpleticn of harvestinq in Somalia and Uqanda. Heavy unseasonahle rains fell in most parts of Ethiopia in October, causinq damaqe tc crops ready for harvest in several reqicns. In southern Africa, the seasonal rains beqan in most countries in late October or early November, easing the severe drouqht and providing moisture for the forthcominq plantinq of coarse qrain crops to be harvested in 1983. 4. Paddy output in Africa was estimated to be scmewhat lower than in 1981, mainly because of poorer harvests in Madaqascar and sol:ne West African countries. Moreover, consumption is risinq rapidly in the reqion, especially in the Ivory Coast and Niqeria, so that import requirements in 1983 are expected to increase fur­ ther. 29 Table IV .A; l Growth of aqricul tural output at constant 1970 prices ( Percentaqe) ----------------------------------------------------------------Averaqe 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1971-1980 ----------------------------------------------------------------Central Africa 3.08 l. 65 2 .13. l. 78 1.80 0.27 Eastern and southern Africa 2.57 -0.90 0.10 1.48 6.39 l. 55 North Africa -3.81 10.69 -0.14 3.68 -4.30 2.54 \'lest Africa 1.49 -3.75 -1.66 -7..11 -0.06 -0.10 Total developinq Africa 0.55 1.12 -0.39 0.81 0.69 l. 00 Hajor oil-exportinq 
**Analysis**
The text primarily discusses the performance of the agricultural sector in Africa, specifically the fluctuations in crop production and harvests due to weather conditions. It also touches on the consumption and import requirements of agricultural products in the region. This suggests that the text is more focused on the agricultural sector and its impact on the economy, rather than other areas such as industry, transport, or international trade.

**Category**
Agriculture, forestry and fishing