Application of Climate Information to Enhance Food Production in The Gambia

Authors: Peter Gibba (Senior Meteorologist) Alpha Jallow (Meteorologist) Department of Water Resources Banjul 11

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Outline
Background Context of Agriculture in The Gambia Climate trend and Variability in The Gambia Climate risk in Agricultural Production Adaptation to climate Change (enhancing food security) Early warning products/tools (food security & disaster

management)
Weaknesses/Challenges Recommendations

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Background
n Crop yield is partially attributed to the variability and n n n n n

irregularity of rainfall Use of climate information can increase agricultural production. The objectives of this presentation is: To show evidence climate variability in the Gambia To outline adaptation measures to challenge climate change To inform farmers and policy makers on products to enhance decision making towards food security
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Context of Agriculture in The Gambia

Contributes ~ 30% to GDP Employs ~ 70% of active population Provides ~ 50% of national food supply Source of alleviating mal-nutrition on women & children n Poverty 91% of very poor & 72% of poor depend on agriculture for livelihood
n n n n

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Context of Agriculture in The Gambia

Constraints linked to climate

Over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture Uni-modal rainfall regime with increasing unpredictability Inadequate water control measures & irrigation structures Saline intrusion in freshwater source Poor soils torrential downpours, winds & inadequate soil fertilization Prevalence of pests & diseases

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Climate trend and Variability in The Gambia(rainfall trend)

n average decrease of 5.75mm of rainfall per year,

amounting to about 368.0mm in 64 years

1620 1,484.7 1420 1220 Rainfall (millimeters) 1020 820 620 420 220 20 1946 1949 1943 1952 1955 1958 1961 1964 1967 1970 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003 2006 513.1

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Climate trend and Variability in The Gambia (rainfall trend)

K 1 3 .5 Y B a n j u l d u m S i b a n o r K e r e w a n J e n o i u n t a u r J a n j a n g b u r e h F a t o t o B a s s e
1 0 2 0 1 1 2 0

u n

1 9 5 1
13 - 1 7 - 1 6 . 5 - 1 6 - 1 5 . 5

- 1 5

1 9 8 0
- 1 4 . 5 - 1 4

9 2 0

K 1 3 .5 B a n j u l Y u n d u m K e r e w a n J e n o i

u n t a u r J a n j a n g b u r e h B F a t o t o a s s e
8 2 0

i b a n o r

7 2 0

1 9 7 1
13 - 1 7 - 1 6 . 5 - 1 6 - 1 5 . 5 - 1 5

2 0 0 0
- 1 4 . 5 - 1 4
6 2 0

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Climate trend and Variability in The Gambia (temperature trend)

29.0 28.5 28.0 Temperature (oC) 27.5 27.0 26.5 26.0 25.5
19 69 19 72 19 99 20 05
8

19 51

19 54

19 57

19 60

19 63

19 66

19 75

19 78

19 81

19 84

19 87

19 90

19 93

19 96

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20 02

Climate trend and Variability in The Gambia (growing season parameters)

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Climate Risk in Agricultural Production (potential impacts)

Increased reports of hydro-meteorological hazards in recent decades. (extreme events such as droughts, floods and wind storms)

Late onset and early cessation of the rains lead to shortening of the rainy season

Alteration of the crop calendar Reduced fresh water availability

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Climate Risk in Agricultural Production (potential impacts)

Dominance of heat- & drought-tolerant ssp. Loss of agricultural land (erosion, flooding) Increased inter-annual variability of production under rain-fed systems Raise stake in food security challenge Rural urban migration Municipal planning & infrastructure dvmt.

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Adaptation to climate Change (enhancing food security)

Optimal use of natural resources (water, land, labour) Maximize production in seasonal wetlands For uplands fields, select high-yielding, early maturing and drought tolerant crops such as sorghum, early millet, cotton, groundnut (73-33), NERICA rice etc. Stagger planting dates incase there is a long dry spell Implement soil-water conservation techniques

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Adaptation to climate Change (enhancing food security)

Increase plant spacing to reduce competition for nutrients Plan an early start of dry season activities Early season planting to ensure full utilization of effective rainfall The use of improved cultural practices to facilitate the timely operations In seasonal wetlands, maximize the production of crops that need plenty water (rice ..)

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Adaptation to climate Change (enhancing food security)

Select medium and short season varieties with high yielding potentials Split application of fertilizer as risk of leaching will be high Prepare to sow larger areas Improve field drainage Seek warnings and advises on weather and climate before and during agricultural activities

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Early warning products/tools(food security & disaster management)

Mapping and laying out results

SURFER

Interpolating rainfall data and Crop Water Balance results

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Products
Crop Water Balance Sowing dates and comparisons to the average and the

preceding year indices of crop water satisfaction soil water reserves potential yields....... The products are used to meet the operational monitoring of crops and make yield forecast before the end of the cropping season. The products are used by national EWS to determine risk areas.
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Products ITD
The methodology is based on the analysis of the mean position of the

ITD, limit between flux from the northern and southern hemispheres (rainfall limit)

The seasonal

movements of the ITD are good indicators for monitoring locusts and areas likely to receive rains

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Products
Famine Early warning bulletin (10-day May to Oct) Seasonal forecast Progress of rainy season Rainfall situation Agrometeorological situation (extreme events) Hydrological situation (water levels, discharge, salinity) Agricultural (crop and livestock) situation Situation of cereal markets Climate hazards Pests and diseases
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Products: Marine information

for the fishing

sector
n Waves heights and direction, winds, currents and

chlorophyll a concentration

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Products: Establishing between provider and the user community

Establishment of a desk officer at the CFO Breaking down the weather forecast for different users in comprehensible language (farmers, fisheries, leisure,construction) Broadcast in local languages (GTRS, FM radios)

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Users of the products

Policy and decision makers in

government
Agriculture (crop & livestock) sector Water resources sector Disaster management Research & applications centres

(ACMAD, AGRHYMET etc.)

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Potential application of products

Improved decision making at:

Farmer level (seasonal outlook, dekadal rainfall outlook & position of the ITD)

Community level (food availability, pests & diseases, etc.)

National level (seasonal outlook, crop production potential, food availability etc.)

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Weaknesses
Low communication of data from the field,

especially from partner institutions Delayed dissemination of bulletin due to untimely reception of data from the field Low number of reporting stations resulting to an incomplete description of the prevailing situation Irregular verification of field conditions by MWG members due to resource constraints Low contact between MWG members Low feedback/comments from users Resource constraint to update tools & skills
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Challenges
Dissemination has been a major challenge,

especially when printed copies (products in colour) have to be distributed in areas where internet is not available
Low commitment of member institutions /

personnel
Local communities do not access the bulletin

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Recommendations
Capacity building should be

strengthened within the MWG institutions

Funding of the MWG activities in the

national budget

Member institutions should be

committed to submit contributions for 2525 4/23/12 the bulletin

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THANK YOU

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