The seasonal variations of the water are the major climaticvariable affecting crop distribution and phenology in West Africa. However,historical and economic factors have also helped create the presentdistribution, especially for cash crops. The reporting period marks the end ofthe main harvesting season throughout the region for maize, sorghum, millet,and yams, with cereal production expected to be above average (>5%). In thenorth of the MPZ, which only has one rainy season, the harvesting of cereals isunderway. In the west (Guinea to Liberia), an important part is played by rice,of which the harvest extends into December and sometimes even January. In theareas that tend to record bimodal rainfall (southern Côte d'Ivoire to Nigeria),the first maize crop was harvested in October, while the short season maize washarvested in early 2017. In contrast, cassava (the main staple in the region)is still growing, as reflected by the area of cropped arable land.

Based on CropWatch observations, average rainfall wasrecorded in 77.4% of croplands in the MPZ, with close to average temperature of27.1°C (-0.1% compared to the five-year average) and sunshine (RADPAR, 0%deviation), which gave a slight increase of the biomass production potential(BIOMSS, +1%). The west of the region enjoyed a significant increase ofprecipitation over average, contributing to the overall increase of+6% for RAIN for the MPZ, which also translated into increased Nigerdischarge for the benefit of the Sahel, especially irrigated rice inthe inner Delta and flood recession crops along the river.For the MPZ as awhole, the cropped arable land fraction (CALF) reached 99%. Precipitation iscurrently slowing down, marking the end of the rainy season. According tothe VCIx map in relation to crop condition, average VCIx was 0.9. Climaticconditions were generally favorable across the Nigerian northern savannahagro-ecological zone. During this period, Nigeria has a good share of croppedarable land reflecting the extent of agricultural production in the region.

Generally, as the growing season was coming to a closeduring this reporting period, the climatic conditions were close to average,with precipitation well distributed in time. The temperature fluctuated fromnormal average within a +/-2°C margin after cessation of the rainy season.CropWatch indicators depict a stable and coherent climatic condition conducivefor late crop harvest in early 2017 (second maize crop and cassava).

Figure 2.1. West Africa MPZ: Agroclimaticand agronomic indicators, October2016-January 2017

a. Spatial distribution of rainfall profiles b. Profiles of rainfall departure from average (mm)

c. Spatial distribution of temperature profiles d. Profiles of temperature departure from average (°C)

f. Cropped arable land                                                       h. VHI minimum

                  e. Maximum VCI                                                           g.  Biomass accumulation potential departure