The November bulletin covers the months of July to October and represents the end of the main rainy season in the northern Sahelian areas and the onset of the main rainy season throughout the region's south. The predominant agricultural activities of the MPZ include sowing cereals (maize, sorghum, millet, and rice) under both rainfed and irrigated conditions. During this period tuber crops were being harvested, while rice harvest will extend into December 2024 and January 2025. For Nigeria, based on southern bimodal rainfall areas, harvesting of the main season maize crop concluded in August with overall production prospects being favorable, reflecting generally good weather conditions. As an MPZ, the agroclimatic indicators showed below-average rainfall (RAIN 854 mm, -6%), increased average temperature (TEMP 25.2°C, +0.3°C), and decreased sunshine (RADPAR 1040 MJ/m2, - 6%), resulting in a decrease in biomass production potential (BIOMSS 1209 g DM/m2, -7%) predominant throughout the MPZ. The cropped arable land (CALF) was at 98%,  which was 1% above the 5YA. The regional average maximum VCI was 0.92, indicating generally moderate favorable crop growth conditions, with minimum VHI indicating moderate to severe drought stress throughout the region. The climatic indicators for specific countries showed reduced rainfall in Togo (-27%), Ghana (-24%), Nigeria (-23%), Equatoria Guinea (-20%), Gabon (-16%), and Cote d Ivoire (-10%). However, the average cropping production intensity index observed in the MPZ was at 1.01, indicating a favorable and stable climatic condition for the MPZ and favorable prospects for crop production.

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