Famine Early Warning Systems Network

The western Sahel area (Senegal, Mauritania) experienced below average and poorly distributed rainfall during the first part of the season resulting into significant planting delays.  It was only in early August that the area started receiving near average and well distributed rainfall.  Dryness returned in September, but because of the good time distribution of rainfall its impact on crops was minimal. Furthermore, crops benefitted from above average rainfall that continued until the end of October, extending the growing season by at least two dekads compared to average. 

In Senegal, the extension of the season until the end of October made it possible for farmers to achieve good harvests.  The delayed onset of rains had a negative impact on pastures resulting in below average production in northeastern Senegal (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

In Mauritania rainfed crops and pastures underwent severe stress due both to a late start and September dryness.  However, the August and October above average rainfall and the late end of the season have resulted in average to above average surface water resources, which was very helpful to recessional and irrigated agriculture systems.  Since recessional and irrigated crops account for above 85 percent of the national production on average, the provisional harvest estimate indicates that crop production to be 15 percent above average.  For pastures, however, production in southwestern Mauritania is expected to be worse than that of northeastern Senegal (Figure 2).  Consequently, an early migration of transhumant herders has been observed.