This reporting period covers the harvesting period of the major food crops. For Nigeria and the other countries in this region, these are millet, sorghum, rainfed rice and the main season maize.  For the coastal regions, harvest of second season cassava crops started in January while the one-year-old cassava crop was still growing. According to the climatic indicators for the region, the average rainfall was 145 mm (-31%). A rainfall deficit was observed for all countries: Liberia (416 mm -21%), Sierra Leone (347 mm -15%), Equatorial Guinea (1,235 mm -5%), Togo (37 mm -64%), Burkina Faso (2 mm -91%), Nigeria (140 mm -25%), Ghana (110 mm -41%), Côte d'Ivoire (144 mm -45%) and Guinea (124 mm -37%). Due to the low rainfall, localized severe to moderate drought incidences were observed. The average temperature of the MPZ varied from 23.4°C (Equitoria Guinea) to 28.1°C (Gambia) with a regional average of 25.6°C (+0.6°C) and potential solar radiation was 1,256 MJ/m² (-2%). The accumulated biomass production potential of the region decreased by 9%. The cultivated arable cropped area (CALF) for the region was above 90% (+2%) except for Nigeria, where it was at 87% (+1%). The regional vegetative health index (VCIx) was at 0.92, indicating good crop conditions in most parts of the region except for Nigeria (0.89) and Burkina Faso (0.83). These CropWatch indicators showed stable, yet drier-than-usual climatic conditions for crop production. The early start of the lean (dry) season will make it more challenging for livestock production, as less biomass will be available for grazing. This MPZ continues to face challenges in production, distribution and widespread use of certified seeds, fertilizers and pesticides for optimal production systems, exacerbated by the devastating effects Covid-19 had on the economies.

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