Joint Mission Report September

Broad outlines

• In terms of rainfall: dry sequences of more than 14 days over the period from mid-July to mid-August which had a negative impact on the development of crops in the following municipalities:
  o Niou and Boussé in the Central Plateau region;
  o Tenado and Didyr in the Center-West region;
  o Kalsaka, Gomponson, Yako in the North region;
  o Kaya and Pensa in the Center-North;
  o Mansila in the Sahel region;
  o Bilanga, Bartiebougou, Kantchari and Tansarga in the eastern region.
  
• On the hydrological level: the level of filling of water reservoirs is generally satisfactory for the cultivation of the dry season, but worrying in the localities of Pabré (Center) and Tenado (Center-West).
  
•  On the phytosanitary level: in the different regions, the armyworms which raised concerns are now under control thanks to the regularity of the rains from the 3rd ten days of August on the one hand, and to the treatment efforts led by the services technicians and producers on the other hand. Localized threats mainly relate to late-planted crops. However, helpful advice is provided to growers to conduct early treatments. We also note the persistence of threats from grain-eating birds in the Sahel (Ouadalan, Seno and Soum) and the North (Gomponson in the province of Passoré).
  
•  In terms of animal health: a calm situation is noted because no outbreak of notifiable disease has been identified;
  
• Other information to report
  o persistent abuse of herbicides presents real risks to human and animal health and to soil fertility in certain regions;
  o; a delay in assisting vulnerable people due to the lack of financial means for the transport and distribution of food and non-food products to these people.
  
•  Perspectives
  o Despite the relatively good physiognomy of the crops overall, with heading stages of 25-50% for cereal crops, continued rains until the end of September are necessary to allow good productions
  o On the pastoral level, the current availability of fodder ensures good food prospects for the livestock.
  o Markets in the Sahel region are increasingly difficult to access due to insecurity and poor road conditions.
  In view of the above, the recommendations below have been formulated.
  
•  To the Ministry of Agriculture and Hydraulic Development
  

1. Strengthen producers’ awareness of monitoring fields for early treatment against pests;
2. Strengthen the endowment of decentralized services with phytosanitary products to fight against crop pests during the off-season and the next agricultural season;
3. Include pesticides in the State input distribution mechanism for upcoming campaigns;
4. Take strong measures against the misuse of herbicides

• At the MASFSN:

5. Make permanent funds available to the decentralized bodies of CONASUR, to make them operational in the delivery of aid to vulnerable people