Rainfall Situation

During this dekad, the rainfall situation in the country significantly improved with torrential downpours registered, that caused extensive damage to both crops and infrastructure through massive flooding. End-of-dekad totals ranged from 53mm over Kaur to 250mm recorded over Jenoi, both in the middle third of the country. In the western third dekadal totals ranged between 91mm over Kerewan to 188mm over Banjul. Elsewhere in the eastern third, dekadal totals were 177.2mm over Fatoto and 205.8mm over Basse (figure 1a).

Seasonal Rainfall Total:

The seasonal rainfall totals have also increased significantly across all the regions in the country, ranging from 640mm over Kerewan (lowest countrywide) to above 1000mm over Sapu (highest in the country) figure 1b. This recorded seasonal cumulative totals in in line with the JAS 2024 seasonal forecast that indicated above normal figures across the country.

Average temperatures recorded during this dekad were between 27oC and 28oC across the country. Extreme temperatures reached a minimum of 21oC recorded in the western third of the country, whereas maximum temperatures peaked to 34.9oC over Jenoi in the middle third of the country.

Relative humidity still remained high, 80% on average throughout the country, whilst average Sunshine increased to 6 hours during the dekad.

Winds were low occasionally moderate in speed, with a maximum gust of around 70km/h recorded in the western third of the country.

General crop situation

The overall crop performance in terms of growth and development is progressing satisfactorily across the country. However, due to uneven rainfall distribution at the beginning of the season, the phenological phases of crops varies from region to region across the country. Some farmers started harvesting maize and groundnut to secure good price as early harvest attracts good price from the market. However, the groundnuts harvested and taken to the market are not fully matured. Meanwhile, according to all Regional Agricultural Directorates (RADs) in the country, the area put to production this year for early millet, maize and rice has increased as compared to last year, this is mainly due to the input support received from Agricultural Projects at the start of the cropping season and subsidized fertilizer to farmers.