EARLY WARNING BULLETIN FOR FOOD SECURITY
No. 2014/08
IN THE GAMBIA
Period: July 11-20, 2014
Produced and Published by The Gambia National
Multidisciplinary Working Group
Focal Point: Department of Water Resources
TEL: (+220) 4227631 / 4224122 / 8905229 - FAX: (+220) 422 50 09
Government of The Gambia
E-MAIL: dwr@mofwrnam.gov.gm / WEB: www.mofwrnam.gov.gm
1.0 METEOROLOGICAL SITUATION
1.1. SYNOPTIC SITUATION:
The average surface position of the ITD oscillated over southern Mauritania, central Mali and southern
Niger.
Dry and stable atmosphere prevailed to the north of the ITD with dust/haze patches observed mostly
over Mauritania and northern Algeria. On the other hand, convective activities prevailed to the south of
the ITD especially over southern Mali and the Gulf of Guinea States.
1.2. WEATHER SUMMARY FOR THE GAMBIA
Variably cloudy, warm and humid atmosphere prevailed, with rain and thunderstorms across the
country with highest decadal total recorded the eastern parts of the country during the dekad.
1.3. OUTLOOK FOR THE NEXT DEKAD (21st to 31st July)
Variably cloudy, humid and warm atmosphere combined with rain and thunderstorms is expected to
prevail particularly over the eastern sector during the period.
2.0 AGROMETEOROLOGICAL SITUATION
2.1 RAINFALL SITUATION
The rainfall situation in this dekad was favourable in most parts of the country compared to the
previous dekads. Rainfall dekadal total of 111.4mm (highest in the dekad) was recorded in Basse in the
Eastern Third of the country, in the Middle Third a total of 28.0mm (highest) was recorded in Jenoi,
whilst in the Western Third Sibanor recorded 74.2mm highest for the region (figure 1a).
Seasonal total rainfall amounts increased significantly in the Eastern Third with Fatoto and Basse
recording totals of 304.9mm and 313.9mm respectivey.In the Middle Third Sapu recorded the highest
of 124.0mm, while in the Western Third Sibanor recorded a total of 153.3mm. However, the lowest
Early Warning Bulletin for Food Security in The Gambia
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seasonal rainfall total recorded so far is over Banjul (31.8mm) the capital city in the Western Third of
the country. (Figure 1b).
Kaur
13.5
Sapu
Janjangbureh
Kerewan
Jenoi
Banjul
Serekunda
Fatoto
Yundum
Basse
Sibanor
0
50
100
13
-16.5
-16
-15.5
-15
-14.5
-14
Figure 1a: Rainfall totals for 11th – 20thJuly 2014.
Kaur
13.5
Kerewan
Banjul
Serekunda
Sapu
Janjangbureh
Jenoi
Fatoto
Yundum
Basse
Sibanor
0
60
120
180
240
300
13
-16.5
-16
-15.5
-15
-14.5
-14
Figure 1b: Rainfall totals from May 1st 2014 – July 20th 2014.
2.2. JULY 2ND DEKAD RAINFALL SEASONAL COMPARISON WITH THAT OF JULY 2ND
DEKAD 2013 AND THE NORMAL 81_2010.
The table below gives a detailed comparison between the seasonal rainfall totals for this dekad (July
2nd) and that of 2nd Dekad of July for 2013 and the dekadal normals for 1981_2010. The table shows
that with the exception of Basse and Fatoto, the entire country is in deficit when compared to both the
normal and that of July last year (Table 1).
Early Warning Bulletin for Food Security in The Gambia
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Table 1: 2014 Seasonal rainfall comparisons against last year and long term mean during the
same period
Station
Name
Yundum
Airport
Sibanor
Jenoi
Banjul
Kerewan
Kaur
Janjanbureh
Sapu
Basse
Fatoto
Seasonal
total 2nd
dekad
July
64.8
Seasonal
total 2nd
dekad
July 2013
297.7
Dekadal
Difference
( Difference (2014
normal ( 2014 – 2013)
–Normal)
81_2010)
Deficit Surplus Deficit Surplus
171.3
-232.9
153.3
80.2
31.8
48.3
53.5
49.1
124.0
313.9
304.9
N/A
273.3
133.9
232.9
255.5
203.4
389.0
271.3
165.0
N/A_
290.5
148.2
215.2
176.9
213.7
225.6
243.7
236.8
N/A
-193.1
-102.1
-184.6
-202.0
-154.3
-265.0
-106.9
N/A
+42.6
+139.9
N/A
-210.3
-116.4
-166.9
123.4
-164.6
-101.6
N/A
+70.2
+68.1
2.2 Temperature
Average temperatures across the country varied between 26oC and 30oC. Extreme minimum
temperatures were 27°C maximum in Sapu and Basse, whilst extreme maximum temperature varied
between 32.0oC to 40.0°C (highest in Kaur). Minimum temperatures were lowest (20.6°C) over Banjul
along the coast and 27°C over Sapu in the Middle Third of the country..
2.3 Winds
Winds were generally light to moderate across the country during this dekad with the exception of
Basse in the Eastern Third which experienced a maximum gust of 51Km/h.
2.4 Sunshine Duration
Sunshine duration in this dekad varied between 4 hours of sunlight in Sibanor (lowest) to between 6
and 7 hours in other parts of the country.
2.5 Relative Humidity
Relative humidity during this dekad was 31% lowest in Janjanbureh to above 90% over the entire
country.
3.0 Hydrological Situation
N/A
Early Warning Bulletin for Food Security in The Gambia
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4.0 AGRICULTURAL SITUATION
Farmers in the eastern parts of the country (Fatoto and Basse areas), where rains started earlier are
busy weeding, elsewhere sowing of cereals in progress. However, groundnuts cultivation is beginning
to be dilemma for farmers particularly
4.1 COMMODITY PRICES
The table below show average commodity prices of different markets in the Greater Banjul Area and
the North Bank Region.
Table 2: Average comm0dity prices for the 2nd Week of July (per KG in Dalasis) of selected
marketsCommodity
CEREALS
Maize
E/Millet
Sorghum
Local Rice
Broken Rice
Long Grain Rice
Findo
VEGETABLES
Cabbage
Hot Pepper
Large Pepper (Hot)
Okra
Egg Plant
Wonjo
Bitter Tomato
Tomato Big size
Imported Onion
Local Onion
ROOTS & TUBERS
Carrot
Cassava
Sweet Potato
Irish Potato
Mangoes
Decorticated G/Nut
Undecorticated G/nut
Beans
Livestock
Meat&Bone
Steak
Mutton
Markets
Tipper
Banjul Serrekunda Bakau Latrikunda Garage Brikama
kerr
Pateh Farafenni Average
26.60
26.16
21.44
30.00
24.00
25.00
100.00
24.12
24.28
19.28
29.35
24.00
25.00
95.50
25.05
24.56
20.17
28.84
24.00
25.00
95.00
24.07
24.70
19.54
30.62
24.00
24.79
98.00
25.87
25.90
19.92
29.84
24.00
25.00
97.50
23.88
22.31
19.83
29.28
23.00
26.00
94.58
20.00
20.00
N/A
N/A
23.00
24.00
N/A
20.00
20.00
N/A
N/A
24.00
N/A
75.00
23.70
23.49
20.03
29.66
23.75
24.97
93.65
40.37
120.25
118.00
51.25
26.71
116.00
39.04
30.06
N/A
35.00
36.54
115.10
90.00
49.96
24.28
120.00
34.60
27.08
N/A
30.00
34.40
116.58
90.00
49.02
24.00
118.37
32.36
27.00
35.00
30.00
32.80
115.00
91.49
48.21
25.67
116.30
32.44
27.40
N/A
31.50
33.26
114.14
91.83
48.91
20.41
120.16
30.60
29.42
N/A
35.00
34.74
113.00
90.57
48.00
24.61
N/A
33.92
24.66
N/A
29.64
30.20
120.00
96.99
45.40
25.00
100.00
30.00
25.00
N/A
20.00
40.00
120.00
180.00
N/A
20.00
35.00
35.00
28.00
35.00
N/A
35.29
116.76
106.11
48.68
23.84
103.69
33.50
27.33
35.00
30.16
40.00
23.59
23.59
40.50
8.00
49.71
37.77
40.30
35.79
20.28
N/A
48.40
6.00
N/A
N/A
35.00
35.00
21.17
17.40
48.40
5.26
42.00
32.92
40.00
34.86
22.04
18.34
49.40
6.00
42.23
N/A
38.00
36.40
20.31
N/A
47.40
7.00
45.42
33.40
35.50
37.87
24.47
N/A
47.50
6.80
47.54
35.97
46.38
38.00
20.00
20.00
40.00
10.00
40.00
30.20
35.00
35.00
20.25
18.30
45.50
N/A
40.95
N/A
34.40
36.62
21.51
19.53
45.89
7.01
43.98
34.05
38.07
150.00
180.00
200.00
160.00
180.00
200.00
160.00
190.00
200.00
160.00
190.00
N/A
150.00
190.00
N/A
150.00
192.00
180.00
130.00
150.00
N/A
120.00
150.00
N/A
147.50
177.75
195.00
Source: DOP : (+220)4225210/4228751 Mob: 9811288/7618921 Email: planningservices@moa.gov.gm
Early Warning Bulletin for Food Security in The Gambia
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4.2 CROP PROTECTION
N/A
4.3 LIVESTOCK
N/A
4.4 FISHERIES
N/A
5.0 NATIONAL DISASTER MANAGEMENT AGENCY (NDMA)
N/A
6.0 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENT AGENCY (NEA)
N/A
Banjul July 223rd 2014
National MWG of The Gambia
Composition of MWG:
Department of Water Resources
Planning Services - Department of Agriculture
(DOA)
Communication, Extension & Education
Services - DOA
Animal Health & Production Services - DOA
Plant Protection Services - DOA
National Environment Agency
Early Warning Bulletin for Food Security in The Gambia
Direct your comments and questions to:
The Director
Department of Water Resources
7 Marina Parade, Banjul
The Gambia
Tel: (+ 220) 422 76 31 / 422 41 22 /
890 52 29
Email: dwr@mofwrnam.gov.gm
5