SAHEL WEATHER AND CROP SITUATION REPORT Global Information and Early Warning System on food and agriculture Report No.4 - 11 September 2000

CROP DEVELOPMENT IS GENERALLY SATISFACTORY IN THE WEST OF THE SAHEL BUT UNFAVOURABLE IN CENTRAL AND EASTERN BURKINA FASO, NIGER AND NORTHERN CHAD

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SUMMARY

Following generally widespread and abundant precipitation over the main agricultural zones of the Sahel in July, rains remained abundant over the western half of the Sahel in early August, decreased in mid-August but resumed in late August. Rains were particularly abundant during the first dekad of August in Senegal (even causing flooding in several areas), The Gambia and Guinea Bissau, during the second dekad in Mauritania and during the third dekad in Mali. In the centre of the Sahel, precipitation remained below normal in Burkina Faso, except in the south and west. In Niger, below normal rainfall was registered in late August while in Chad, growing conditions were favourable in the Sudanian zone but unfavourable in the Sahelian zone. Satellite images for the first dekad of September shows that cloud coverage remained over most agricultural zones of the Sahel but that intensity of the rains decreased significantly except in south-western Senegal, Gambia and Chad. Rainfall is notably well below normal in northern and south-eastern Senegal, western Mali and most parts of Niger.

Crops are generally developing satisfactorily in the western half of the Sahel region. Reduced rains affected crop development in central and eastern Burkina Faso, most parts of Niger and the Sahelian zone of Chad. Improved rains are needed in these areas to avoid water stress or crop failure.

Following good rains in July, pastures have regenerated satisfactorily throughout the pastoral zones of the Sahel. Grasshopper attacks are reported in Chad, Mali, Mauritania, Niger and Senegal. Small scale Desert Locust breeding is in progress in southern and central Mauritania. Some locusts are probably present and breeding in the Adrar des Iforas of Mali and in Aïr of Niger

SITUATION BY COUNTRY

BURKINA FASO  CAPE-VERDE  CHAD  GAMBIA  GUINEA-BISSAU 
MALI  MAURITANIA  NIGER  SENEGAL