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SAHEL WEATHER AND CROP SITUATION - September 1997

Year of publication 1997

Author Trade and Markets Division

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Series title Sahel Weather and Crop Situation Report

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) In the western part of the Sahel, following an early start of the rainy season in May/June, rains decreased to well below normal over most parts of Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania from the second dekad of July up to mid-August, severely affecting early planted crops. Precipitation resumed in late August/early September with abundant and widespread rains over the entire region. In the eastern part of the Sahel, weather conditions have been much more favourable with generally above normal rainf all in Chad and widespread and regular rains in Niger. In between, in the central part of the region, precipitation remained generally regular and widespread in Mali and Burkina Faso. In Cape Verde, abundant rains were received in late August on all islands. The latest Meteosat satellite image for the first days of September shows that cloud cover remains over most parts of the Sahel but that intensity of the rains decreased in central and northern Senegal, Mauritania as well as in Niger and nor thern Chad. Rains remained quite abundant in Guinea Bissau, southern Senegal, Mali, southern Burkina Faso and southern Chad. Assessment missions have been fielded in drought affected areas of Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania. Reduced rains in July in the west of the Sahel have severely affected crop development and will diminish yield potential. Abundant rains of late August/early September permitted replenishment of soil moisture reserves, regeneration of pastures and filling of water rese rvoirs, thus improving prospects for crops that had not failed. Crops are generally growing satisfactorily in the centre and the east of the Sahel.

Language English

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    SAHEL WEATHER AND CROP SITUATION - October 1997 1997
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    In the western part of the Sahel, harvest prospects have improved following abundant and widespread rains in September, which partly compensated for earlier drier conditions. After an early start of the rainy season in May/June, precipitation was well below normal from mid-July up to mid-August over most parts of Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania, severely affecting early planted crops and rainfed “dieri” crops in Mauritania. Abundant precipitation in late August/early September replenished soi l moisture reserves in these countries and filled dams in Mauritania, improving prospects for recession or irrigated crops. Abundant rains in September also benefited crops in Guinea Bissau. In the central part of the Sahel, reflecting generally favourable growing conditions, harvest prospects are mostly favourable in Mali and western and northern Burkina Faso but unfavourable in eastern Burkina Faso. In the eastern part of the Sahel, prospects are mixed in Niger with pockets of poor anticipated harvests. In Chad, generally widespread and regular rains benefited crop development but African Migratory Locusts are threatening crops in the north-west. In Cape Verde, the maize crop is growing satisfactorily in the humid zones. The latest Météosat satellite image for the first days of October shows that cloud cover disappeared over most parts of Mauritania, northern Senegal, northern Mali and Burkina Faso, Niger and eastern Chad, marking the end of the rainy season. Precipitation remained q uite abundant in Guinea Bissau, more limited but widespread in southern Senegal, southern Mali, southern and central Burkina Faso and south-western Chad.
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    SAHEL WEATHER AND CROP SITUATION - August 1997 1997
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    Following an early start of the rainy season in May/June in the western part of the Sahel, growing conditions have significantly deteriorated in July, notably during the second dekad of the month which registered only very limited rains or dry weather over most parts of Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania. Precipitation also decreased in Guinea Bissau. By contrast, weather conditions have been much more favourable in the eastern part of the Sahel with well above normal rains in Chad, notably in i ts sahelian zone. In between, in the central part of the region, precipitation remained generally normal and widespread. In Mali, rains were widespread and quite regular, more abundant during the second half of the month. Similarly, precipitation increased significantly over Burkina Faso in mid and late July after reduced rains in early July. In Niger, rainfall remained generally widespread during July. In Cape Verde, rains have started over the main islands. The last Meteosat satellite image fo r the first days of August is showing a cloud coverage over southern Senegal, most parts of Mali, Burkina Faso, western and central Niger and Chad. Rains should have been quite abundant in Guinea Bissau and Chad. By contrast, weather remained mostly dry over northern Senegal, Mauritania and eastern Niger. Plantings are finished in most countries but substantial replantings are necessary in Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania. Reduced rains in July in the west of the Sahel have severely affecte d crop development and will diminish yield potential. Crops are generally growing satisfactorily in the centre and the east of the Sahel.
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