The report covers the period (April - July) which coincides with the onset of agriculture activities in the West African region. The crops planted in this  period include the main cereal crops (maize, sorghum, millet, and rice) and tuber crops (cassava and yams). In the southern bimodal rainfall areas of the region, seasonal rains had a timely onset. For Nigeria, harvesting of maize in southern areas will  conclude by August, while in the central areas, rainfall in May was below average in many parts. The most affected countries in the region (MPZ) in terms of reduced rainfall were Burkina Faso (RAIN -75%), Nigeria (RAIN -20%), Togo (RAIN -19%), Sierra Leone (RAIN -20%), Gabon (-16%), Nigeria (-14%), Côte d'Ivoire (RAIN -11%) and Ghana (RAIN -10%). Temperature for the MPZ was slightly above average (TEMP +0.7°C), with stratified spatial-temporal variation effects across the MPZ and more pronounced departures in the north as compared with the coastal areas of the region. The regional solar radiation was above average (RADPAR +1%), while the potential biomass production was below average (BIOMASS -9%). Most of the countries in the MPZ with reduced biomass production due to reduced rainfall were Burkina Faso (BIOMASS -20%), Nigeria (BIOMASS -15%), Côte d'Ivoire (BIOMASS -8%), Togo (BIOMASS -7%) and Ghana (BIOMASS -6%). Based on the VCIx map as an indication of vegetation cover, the region experienced high vegetative cover (VCIx >0.8) while the vegetation health index (VHI) map also depicts a spatial and temporal pattern affected by moderate to severe drought conditions. At the country level, northern Nigeria and northern Togo were most affected. At the regional level, the cropped arable land fraction slightly reduced (CALF -2%). The lowest CALF values were observed in Nigeria (CALF -12%) and Burkina Faso (CALF -3%). The low CALF values for Nigeria and Burkina Faso can be attributed to the generally dry environments. Based on these agroclimatic conditions in the MPZ attributed to below-average rainfall deficits, more well-established rainfall will be needed to support crop production, especially in the drought vulnerable areas of the MPZ, to ensure an adequate soil moisture supply for the growth of the main season crops, which are key to food security in the region.

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