The reporting period covers the onset of the main rainy season throughout the south of the MPZ and the end of the rainy season in the northern Sahelian areas. The harvesting of the main maize crop was completed in August in the south, while ongoing in the rest of the MPZ for other cereal crops (rice, millet and sorghum). The timely onset of seasonal rains in the southern parts (February/March) and in the north (May/June) led to well established planting activities of the main cereal crops within the MPZ. The cumulative rainfall in the MPZ was above average in most areas leading to improved vegetation conditions. For Nigeria the abundant rainfall in July and August boosted natural pasture conditions and helped replenish surface water and improving livestock production.

The main activities during this period included the sowing of main cereals (maize, sorghum, millet, and rice) under both rainfed and irrigated conditions. In addition tuber crops (yam and cassava) were also being harvested. Rice harvest will extend into December/January period. In the southern parts of the region experiencing bimodal rainfall, the first maize crop was harvested in October while cassava was still growing.

Climatic indicators for the MPZ indicate a below-average rainfall of 743 mm (-22%). Highest rainfall was recorded in Sierra Leone (1393 mm, -20%), Guinea Bissau (1275 mm,  +12%), Equatorial Guinea (1291mm,  -1%), and Guinea (1195 mm, 0%). The average temperature for the MPZ was 24.9°C (+0.1°C) and solar radiation was 1071 MJ/m² (+1%). The biomass production potential was slightly below average. The northern parts of the MPZ experienced more negative departures (0 to -20%) than the coastal areas. The cropped arable land fraction (CALF) reached 97% for the region. The maximum VCI (VCIx) map shows an average value of 0.94 covering most of the region indicating favorable conditions for crop growth. These CropWatch indicators show stable climatic conditions for the MPZ and present favorable prospects for the 2020/2021 season.

Figure A: Spatial distribution of rainfall profiles

Figure B: Spatial distribution of temperature profiles

Figure C: Cropped and uncropped arable land

Figure D: Potential biomass departure from 5YA

Figure E: Maximum VCI

Figure F: VHI Minimum