Global Information and Early Warning System

Report N^o 5 - 11 October 1996

• SUMMARY
• SITUATION BY COUNTRY
• SITUATION MAP AS OF 11 OCTOBER 1996
• SOURCES OF INFORMATION
• SOME DEFINITIONS

Click on one country or its name to consult the situation of this country

SUMMARY

The rainy season is drawing to a close in the Sahelian zone of the Sahel. Following quite abundant rains in late August, precipitation remained generally adequate in the main producing areas during the first dekad of September. Rains decreased significantly since the second and the third dekads but remained widespread except in northern and central Senegal, Mauritania and western Niger. The METEOSAT image for the first dekad of October shows the southwards movement of the Intertropical Front which indicates that the rainy season is drawing to a close in most of the Sahelian countries. Coarse grains are generally reaching reproduction/maturation stages. Maize is being harvested. Rice is developing satisfactorily or still being replanted in low lying areas. Reflecting adequate growing conditions, normal or above normal harvests are anticipated in Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Guinea Bissau,Mali and southern Chad. Prospects are unfavourable in Mauritania and uncertain in Senegal and Niger.

A series of joint FAO/CILSS Crop Assessment Missions are scheduled during the second half of October in all countries of the region. They will work closely with national services and early warning systems to review the evolution of the growing season and prepare first estimates of 1996 cereal production.

The pest situation remains mostly calm. Insects or birds attacks are reported locally but damage to crops remains limited. Significant Desert Locust infestations continued to develop in Mauritania during September. Lower numbers of locusts were also present in Mali. As vegetation dries up, adults will concentrate and may form several small groups or swarms and move into Senegal and northern Mauritania. Ground control operations are underway.

SITUATION BY COUNTRY

SOME DEFINITIONS

In these reports, reference will be made to four different eco-climatic zones based on the average annual precipitation and agricultural features, i.e. Sahelian zone, Sudano-Sahelian zone, Sudanian zone and Guinean zone. They are shown in the map and described below:

Sahelian zone: Where average annual precipitation ranges between 250 and 500 mm. This zone is at the limit of perennial vegetation. In parts where precipitation is less than 350 mm, only pastures and occasional short-cycle drought-resistant cereal crops are grown; all cropping in this zone is subject to high risk.

Sudano-Sahelian zone: Where average annual precipitation ranges from 500 to 900 mm. In those parts of this zone where precipitation is less than 700 mm, mostly crops with a short growing cycle of 90 days are generally cultivated predominantly sorghum and millet.

Sudanian zone: Where average annual precipitation ranges from 900 to 1 100 mm. In this zone, most cereal crops have a growing cycle of 120 days or more. Most cereals, notably maize, root and cash crops are grown in this zone.

Guinean zone: Where average annual precipitation exceeds 1 100 mm. Guinea-Bissau and a small area of southern Burkina Faso belong to this zone, more suited to root crop cultivation.

Reference will also be made to the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), also known by its trace on the earth's surface, called the Intertropical Front. The ITCZ is a quasi-permanent zone between two air masses separating the northern and southern hemisphere trade winds. The ITCZ moves north and south of the equator and usually reaches its most northerly position in July. Its position defines the northern limits of possible precipitation in the Sahel; rain-bearing clouds are generally situated 150-200 km south of the Intertropical Front.