Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Global Information and Early Warning System on Food and Agriculture

SAHEL WEATHER AND CROP SITUATION REPORT

Global Information and Early Warning System on food and agriculture
Report No.4 - 7 September 2001

GROWING CONDITIONS REMAINED FAVOURABLE IN AUGUST IN THE EAST AND CENTRE OF THE SAHEL AND IMPROVED IN THE WEST

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Sensitive Map of the Sahel countries Cape verde Gambie Guinea Bissau Senegal Mauritania Mali Burkina Faso Niger Chad

You can also look at the film of the rainy season in Western Africa and the Sahel.

*SUMMARY

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 second 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 agricultural 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 pastoral 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.




*SITUATION BY COUNTRY


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




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