UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA - AFRICAN STUDIES CENTER
Gambia, Mauritainia & Senegal: FAO Sahel Report, 8/25/97

Gambia, Mauritainia & Senegal: FAO Sahel Report, 8/25/97


FAO Global Information and Early Warning System on food and agriculture

Approved: leek

SAHEL WEATHER AND CROP SITUATION 1997

Update as of 20 August 1997

This report is also available on GIEWS Web server at the following address : http://www.fao.org/giews/english/esahel/sah973e/sah973ae.htm

Unfavourable crop prospects in The Gambia, Mauritania and Senegal but growing conditions satisfactory so far in other Sahelian countries

The dry spell which started in mid-July over most parts of Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania persisted in late July and early August over most parts of the centre and the north of Senegal and over western Mauritania. Following dry weather during the second dekad of July, precipitation resumed in the south of Senegal during the third dekad but remained limited or absent in the centre and the north. During the first dekad of August, rains again decreased over most part of the country, remaining generally below 15mm except in the south. They resumed in mid-August, notably in the west. Substantial rains have been registered on 14, 16 and 18 August by the meteorological stations of the centre while they remained sparse or absent in the north (except in Matam area where a rainfall of about 35mm has been registered on 15 August). The satellite imagery for the second dekad of August (from 10 to 20 August) confirms that precipitation has been more intense over the western part of the country. In Mauritania, following mostly dry weather in mid or late July (except in the extreme south-east), some rains have been registered in early and mid-August in the south and south-east while the weather remained dry in the west. In The Gambia, rains resumed in late July after the dry spell of mid-July but precipitation remained limited. Countrywide rainfall was reported on 20 August. The Government has declared a partial crop failure during a meeting with the donor community on 14 August.

In the affected areas, millet and sorghum crops which had been planted in June/early July failed or have been severely affected by the dry spell. In all the three countries, assessment missions have been organized by the governments. These missions, to be completed within the next week, will provide useful indications on current crop conditions and possible needs for assistance to affected farmers, notably for the recession and off-season crops which are normally planted from November as well as for the livestock sector which has been affected by poor pastures. Replantings of coarse grains could be undertaken following the rains which resumed in mid-August in the centre and the north of Senegal and in Mauritania. However, only short cycle varieties may have a chance to reach maturity if the rainy season continues to late October. In any case, crop prospects are poor and below average harvests are anticipated in Senegal, The Gambia and Mauritania.

In the other parts of the Sahel, growing conditions remained more favourable. Rains are widespread and quite abundant over all producing areas of Chad, reaching northern parts of the Sahelian zone in mid-August. Rains remained also generally widespread over the main producing areas of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. They were quite abundant in late July and early August over the south and centre of Mali and in late July over Burkina Faso. In Guinea Bissau, following reduced rains in mid-July, precipitation became abundant in late July and remained widespread in August. In Cape Verde, plantings are underway following the start of the rains in late July. GIEWS is continuously monitoring the situation in collaborations with national services and information systems. The system will issue updates on the situation, as necessary.

[Via the UN Department of Humanitarian Affairs Integrated Regional Information Network for West Africa (IRIN-WA) Reports mailing list. The material contained in this communication may not necessarily reflect the views of the UN or its agencies. If you re-print, copy, archive or re-post this item, please retain this credit and disclaimer. Quotations or extracts from this report should be attributed to the original sources where appropriate. For further information: e-mail irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci, Tel: +225 217367 Fax: +225 216335.]

Message-Id: <199708251303.QAA04425@dha.unon.org> Date: Mon, 25 Aug 1997 08:52:08 +0100 From: UN DHA IRIN - West Africa <irin-wa@africaonline.co.ci> Subject: Gambia, Mauritainia & Senegal: FAO Sahel Report, Unfavourable crop prospects, Update on 21/8/97 97.8.25

Editor: Ali B. Ali-Dinar

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