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SAHEL WEATHER AND CROP SITUATION - August 1996

Year of publication 1996

Author Trade and Markets Division

Product type Book (stand-alone)

Series title Sahel Weather and Crop Situation Report

Edition 1

Synopsis (short abstract) Precipitation progressed northwards in June over the Sahel region except in Burkina Faso where, following above normal rains in mid and late May in the south and the centre, precipitation decreased significantly in mid and late June over most parts of the country. Therefore, recently planted coarse grains are likely to fail in many areas and substantial replantings will be necessary. In Mali and Niger, rains progressed northwards in June allowing widespread plantings. In Chad, widespread rains c overed the south and the centre. In Senegal, clouds covered the entire country in mid June, while widespread rains benefited plantings in the Gambia and Guinea Bissau. In Mauritania, plantings are underway following the arrival of the rains in June. Seasonably dry conditions still prevail in Cape Verde. The last Meteosat satellite image for the first dekad of July indicates that precipitation improved significantly over Burkina Faso, southern Senegal, Guinea Bissau and southern and central Chad where rains appear to have been quite abundant. Elsewhere, cloud coverage is present and therefore rains are likely to have remained widespread over the main producing areas, except in northern Senegal and south-western Mauritania where the weather was mostly dry. Rains in Burkina Faso will permit a crop recovery following mostly dry conditions in June. Elsewhere, growing conditions are generally favourable.

Language English

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    Following generally adequate rains in May and June, except in Burkina Faso which registered two mostly dry dekads in mid and late June, precipitation remained below normal in early or mid-July in northern Senegal, western and central Mali, most parts of Niger and in the Sahelian zone of Chad where substantial replantings have been necessary. However, rains increased significantly and progressed northwards during the last dekad of July, notably in southern Mauritania, western and central Mali and in southern and central Chad where they benefited recently planted crops. Widespread and abundant rains in July helped desalination of swamp rice in Guinea Bissau and crop emergence in The Gambia. In Cape Verde, rains have started on all islands, allowing first maize plantings. Overall, although growing conditions have improved since late July, crop prospects remain uncertain in several countries. The last Meteosat satellite image up to the morning of 9 August (i.e about 4/5 of a full deka d) is indicating that rains decreased significantly over the Sahel, although cloud coverage remained widespread over the main producing areas, except in central and northern Mali and central and eastern Niger where no clouds were present (or only shortly). Therefore, some, but limited, rains are likely to have been received over most parts of Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, south-west and south-east of Mauritania, western and south-eastern Mali, northern Burkina Faso and western Niger. Rains have been more abundant over southern and central Burkina Faso and Chad. Following good precipitation in late July, soil moisture reserves have been generally reconstituted, but more rains are needed to avoid water stress, notably in Senegal, in western, central and northern Mali and in central and eastern Niger.
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    SAHEL WEATHER AND CROP SITUATION REPORT - 12 June 1996 1996
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    Rains started in April in Burkina Faso and became abundant over the south and the centre in May. The rainy season started in May in the south of Chad, Guinea Bissau, Mali and the extreme south of Niger. First rains were registered in early June in southern Senegal and The Gambia. Rainfall became quite abundant in early June over most producing areas. Land preparation and plantings are progressing following the onset of the rains. Seasonably dry conditions prevail in Cape Verde, Mauritania and no rthern parts of Senegal. The last Meteosat image for the first dekad of June indicates that cloud coverage moved northwards and westwards but cloud duration, and therefore intensity of the rains, decreased in southern Mali and Burkina Faso. Rains should have started in southern and central-eastern Senegal, The Gambia, most parts of western Mali, and the extreme north of Burkina Faso. They were quite abundant over the main producing areas of Niger, allowing the start of planting, and progres sed northwards in central Chad. By contrast, rainfall decreased in southern Mali and in southern and central Burkina Faso.
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    SAHEL WEATHER AND CROP SITUATION - October 1996 1996
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    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 whi ch 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 i n 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.
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