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SAHEL WEATHER AND CROP SITUATION REPORT - August 2001

Year of publication 2001

Author Trade and Markets Division

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Series title Sahel Weather and Crop Situation Report

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Rains were generally regular and widespread over the main producing zones of the Sahel in July. Rainfall improved notably in Chad, Mali and Niger during the second and the third dekads of July. Precipitation has been particularly abundant in the sudanian zone of Chad during the third dekad of July compensating for insufficient rains earlier in June. By contrast, the north of Burkina Faso received reduced rains. In the western countries (Mauritania, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau and Senegal), rains w ere regular and above normal during the first dekad of July. They decreased somewhat in mid and late July but remained widespread, notably in Guinea-Bissau. Cape Verde registered its first significant rains in mid-July in Santiago and Fogo islands. Satellite imagery for the first week of August indicates that Chad, Burkina Faso and Senegal received above normal rains. Soil moisture reserves are generally adequate to allow a satisfactory crop development in most agricultural zones. No water stress is reported so far. Late plantings of coarse grains are underway in the north of Senegal and in Mauritania while wet plantings have started in the agricultural islands of Cape Verde. Pastures are regenerating gradually in the pastoral zones. Infestations of grasshoppers are reported in Chad and Niger resulting in localized replanting of coarse grains. Although no Desert Locusts were reported, low numbers of solitarious adults are likely to be present in areas of southern Mauritania, northern Mali, northwestern Niger and perhaps in eastern Chad and are expected to increase gradually with rainfall.

Language English

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    Rains have been generally widespread and abundant over the main agricultural zones of the Sahel in July. They have been particularly abundant in early and mid-July over Mali and Niger, in late July/early August over Senegal, The Gambia and southern/western Mauritania, and during the entire month of July in Chad. Precipitation was more limited in Burkina Faso but improved significantly over the western half of the country in early August. Rainfall was abundant in Guinea-Bissau. Significant rains were registered on all the islands of Cape Verde in late July. Flooding was reported following heavy rains in mid July in Niger, in late July/early August in northern Senegal and Mauritania and in early August in northern Burkina Faso. Satellite images for the first dekad of August shows that cloud coverage remains present over all the agricultural zones of the Sahel. Precipitation has been particularly abundant over southern Mali and the Sahelian zone of Chad, but more limited over western and eastern Niger and southern Chad. Following these good rains, plant water needs have generally been covered and crops are developing satisfactorily. Recently planted millet and sorghum crops are emerging satisfactorily in northern Senegal, Mauritania, Niger, northern Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad. Elsewhere, crops are growing normally, except in eastern Burkina Faso where more rains are needed to prevent water stress.
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    Following regular and widespread rains in July over the main producing areas, precipitation was generally well distributed and above normal in August in the east and the centre of the Sahel. Rains became abundant in late August in the centre and south of Burkina Faso, the south and the centre of Chad, the southwest and centre of Mali and the centre of Niger. By contrast, in the western countries, The Gambia, Mauritania and Senegal, rainfall was irregular and below normal up to mid-August. The se cond dekad of August was particularly dry and cumulative rainfall was below last year's level and below normal in these countries. However, rains improved significantly in late August and early September, notably in Guinea Bissau, The Gambia, the south and west of Senegal and Mauritania. The satellite image for the first week of September indicates that substantial rains were received over most producing areas of the Sahel. After significant and widespread rains in early August in all agricultur al islands of Cape Verde, precipitation decreased from the second dekad of August but remained widespread. Harvest prospects are favourable in Burkina Faso, Chad, Guinea Bissau, Mali and Niger reflecting generally good growing conditions since July. In The Gambia, Mauritania and Senegal, crop conditions improved following increasing rains in late August/early September but more rains are needed to allow late plantings to cover their growing cycle. Pastures are developing in all pastor al zones. Infestations of grasshoppers are reported in several zones of Chad, Guinea Bissau, Niger and Senegal. Control measures are being undertaken. The Desert Locust situation remains calm.
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    The rainy season is now well established in most countries of the Sahel. Following reduced rains in late June, precipitation remained generally widespread in July over most producing areas of Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad, becoming more abundant and reaching quite northern areas during the last dekad of July. By contrast, precipitation remained limited over Senegal and The Gambia and rains started only in late July in northern Senegal. In Mauritania, sufficient rains after mid-July permitte d plantings in the main producing zones. Rains started in Cape Verde in late July. Rainfall decreased in Guinea-Bissau but remained widespread. The latest Meteosat satellite image for the early days of August indicates that clouds remain present over most producing areas of Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger where precipitation should remain adequate. By contrast, rains remain more limited over Senegal and The Gambia. Reflecting good rainfall in late July and early August, crop s are generally developing satisfactorily in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad. Cereals are emerging satisfactorily in Mauritania. In Senegal and The Gambia, crops are severely affected by reduced precipitation. Many plantings failed and improved rains are urgently needed to avoid extensive crop failure. Grasshoppers are reported in Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger and Senegal. Grain-eating birds are also present in Mali and Senegal. Limited Desert Locusts activity is reported in Niger. Sm all-scale breeding is expected with the onset of the summer rains in southern Mauritania, northern Mali, Niger and Chad.
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