climate change information in the gambia

8/3/2019 Climate Change Information In The Gambia

1/26

4/23/12 11 1

Application of Climate

Information to Enhance Food

Production in The Gambia

Authors:

Peter Gibba (Senior Meteorologist)

Alpha Jallow (Meteorologist)

Department of Water Resources

Banjul


2/26

4/23/12 22 2

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


3/26

4/23/12 33

Background

n Crop yield is partially attributed to the variability andirregularity of rainfall

n Use of climate information can increase agriculturalproduction.

n The objectives of this presentation is:

n To show evidence climate variability in the Gambia

n To outline adaptation measures to challenge climatechange

n To inform farmers and policy makers on products toenhance decision making towards food security


4/26

4/23/12 44 4

Context of Agriculture in TheGambia

n Contributes ~ 30% to GDP

n Employs ~ 70% of active population

n Provides ~ 50% of national food supply

n Source of alleviating mal-nutrition on women &children

n Poverty 91% of very poor & 72% of poor dependon agriculture for livelihood


5/26

4/23/12 55

Context of Agriculture in The Gambia

Over-reliance on rain-fed agricultureUni-modal rainfall regime with increasingunpredictability

Inadequate water control measures & irrigationstructuresSaline intrusion in freshwater sourcePoor soils torrential downpours, winds & inadequate

soil fertilizationPrevalence of pests & diseases

Constraints linked to climate


6/26

4/23/12 66 6

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

513.1

1,484.7

20

220

420

620

820

1020

1220

1420

1620

1943

1946

1949

1952

1955

1958

1961

1964

1967

1970

1973

1976

1979

1982

1985

1988

1991

1994

1997

2000

2003

2006

Rainfa

ll(millimeters)


7/26

4/23/12 77


Gambia (rainfall trend)

7

- 1 7 - 1 6 . 5 - 1 6 - 1 5 . 5 - 1 5 - 1 4 . 5 - 1 4

1 3

1 3 . 5

Y u n d u m

S i b a n o r

K e r e w a nJ e n o i

B a s s e

J a n j a n g b u r e h

K u n t a u r

B a n j u lF a t o t o

6 2 0

7 2 0

8 2 0

9 2 0

1 0 2 0

1 1 2 0

- 1 7 - 1 6 . 5 - 1 6 - 1 5 . 5 - 1 5 - 1 4 . 5 - 1 41 3

1 3 . 5Y u n d u m

S i b a n o r

K e r e w a n

J e n o i

B a s s e

J a n j a n g b u r e h

K u n t a u r

B a n j u l F a t o t o

1 9 5 1 - 1 9 8 0

1 9 7 1 - 2 0 0 0


8/26

4/23/12 88


Gambia (temperature trend)

8

25.5

26.0

26.5

27.0

27.5

28.0

28.5

29.0

1951

1954

1957

1960

1963

1966

1969

1972

1975

1978

1981

1984

1987

1990

1993

1996

1999

2002

2005

Temperature(oC)


9/26

4/23/12 99


Gambia (growing season parameters)


10/26

4/23/12 1010

Climate Risk in Agricultural

Production (potential impacts)

10

Increased reports of hydro-meteorologicalhazards in recent decades. (extreme eventssuch as droughts, floods and wind storms)

Late onset and early cessation of the rainslead to shortening of the rainy season

Alteration of the crop calendar

Reduced fresh water availability


11/26

4/23/12 1111

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 systemsRaise stake in food security challenge

Rural urban migration

Municipal planning & infrastructure dvmt.


12/26

4/23/12 1212

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, earlymaturing and drought tolerant crops such assorghum, early millet, cotton, groundnut (73-33),NERICA rice etc.

Stagger planting dates incase there is a long dryspellImplement soil-water conservation techniques


13/26

4/23/12 1313



Increase plant spacing to reduce competition fornutrientsPlan an early start of dry season activities

Early season planting to ensure full utilization ofeffective rainfall

The use of improved cultural practices to facilitatethe timely operationsIn seasonal wetlands, maximize the production ofcrops that need plenty water (rice ..)


14/26

4/23/12 1414



Select medium and short season varieties withhigh yielding potentials

Split application of fertilizer as risk of leaching will

be highPrepare to sow larger areas

Improve field drainage

Seek warnings and advises on weather andclimate before and during agricultural activities


15/26

4/23/12 151515

Early warning products/tools(food

security & disaster management)

Mapping and laying out results SURFER

Interpolating rainfall data and Crop WaterBalance results


16/26

4/23/12 161616

Products

Crop Water Balance

Sowing dates and comparisons to the average and thepreceding year

indices of crop water satisfaction

soil water reserves

potential yields.......

The products are used to meet the operationalmonitoring of crops and make yield forecast before the

end of the cropping season. The products are used by national EWS to determine

risk areas.


17/26

4/23/12 171717

The methodology is based on the analysis of the mean position of theITD, limit between flux from the northern and southern hemispheres(rainfall limit)

Products ITD

The seasonalmovements of the ITDare good indicatorsfor monitoring locustsand areas likely toreceive rains


18/26

4/23/12 181818

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

Products


19/26

4/23/12 1919

Products: Marine informationfor the fishingsector

n Waves heights and direction, winds, currents andchlorophyll a concentration


20/26

4/23/12 2020

Products: Establishing between providerand the user community

Establishment of a desk officer at the CFO

Breaking down the weather forecast fordifferent users in comprehensible language

(farmers, fisheries, leisure,construction) Broadcast in local languages (GTRS, FM

radios)


21/26

4/23/12 212121

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.)

Fisher folk and students


22/26

4/23/12 222222

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.)


23/26

4/23/12 232323

Weaknesses

Low communication of data from the field,especially from partner institutions

Delayed dissemination of bulletin due to untimelyreception of data from the field

Low number of reporting stations resulting to anincomplete description of the prevailing situation

Irregular verification of field conditions by MWGmembers due to resource constraints

Low contact between MWG members Low feedback/comments from users Resource constraint to update tools & skills


24/26

4/23/12 242424

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


25/26

4/23/12 252525

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

the bulletin


26/26

4/23/12 262626

THANK YOU

climate change information in the gambia

Documents