SAHEL WEATHER AND CROP SITUATION 1997

Global Information and Early Warning System on food and agriculture
Report No 5 - 10 October 1997
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IMPROVED HARVEST PROSPECTS IN THE WEST OF THE SAHEL, MIXED PROSPECTS IN THE CENTRE AND THE EAST

Cape verdeGambieGuinea BissauSenegalMauritaniaMaliBurkina FasoNigerChad
Sensitive Map of the Sahel countries
Click on one country or its name to consult the situation of this country

SUMMARY

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 soil 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 quite abundant in Guinea Bissau, more limited but widespread in southern Senegal, southern Mali, southern and central Burkina Faso and south-western Chad.

Grasshoppers are reported in most countries. Large swarms of African migratory locusts have been reported in Chari-Baguirmi in Chad where they have caused some crop damage and are threatening crops in the south west as well as in neighbouring countries. No significant Desert Locust activity is reported. Only isolated adults persisted in a few places in southern Mauritania while a few adults may appear in the north-west.

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 1997 cereal production.
 

SITUATION BY COUNTRY

BURKINA FASO  CAPE-VERDE  CHAD  GAMBIA  GUINEA-BISSAU  MALI  MAURITANIA  NIGER  SENEGAL SITUATION IN THE COASTAL COUNTRIES
 

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.

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