September 2017 Monthly Meeting Report

1) The results of the joint mission from September 03 to 09, 2017
The main findings resulting from the results of the joint mission can be summarized as follows:

• Long pockets of drought lasting from 10 to 21, causing a delay in the execution of cropping operations were recorded between the second ten days of July and the third ten days of August in the communes of Foutouri, Gayéri , Bartiébougou (province of Komandjari), Kantchari and Tansarga (province of Tapoa), Bilanga (province of Gagna), Niou; Boussé (Kourwéogo province); Ténado, Didyr (Province of Sanguié), Bieha and Bia (Province of Sissili); Gomponson, Yako, Pilimpikou (Passoré province), Bahn (Loroum province), Kando (Kouritenga province);
• cases of flooding causing destruction of crops in the communes of Bama and Padema (Houet province), Koubri, Komsilga, Tanghin-Dassouri (Kadiogo province); Ouéssa, Hamelé, Kiérim (province of Ioba), Djogota and Boulani (in the Sahel), Bourzanga, Dargo (in the center north), Diabo (province of Gourma), Pama, Kompienga (province of Kompienga);
•  in all regions, the armyworm caterpillars that were causing concern 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 carried out by the technical services and producers on the other hand;
•  reported presence of colonies of grain-eating birds with the appearance of new sites in the Sahel and the North;
•  The misuse of herbicides is a concern for human and animal health and for soil fertility. Hence strong ban measures to be taken by the government;
•  a normal level of development of pastures and water points favoring livestock feed;
• average cereal supply, reinforced by the first fruits of the harvest and the witness shops
•  increased demand for cereal products at this time of the lean season;
•  Cereal prices are rising sharply compared to the same period last year, thus limiting access to cereals, especially for poor households;
•  the price of livestock is falling sharply in the Sahel;
•  the level of the farmers’ stock is considered insufficient in the Sahel, Center-West, North and Center-North regions and especially degraded in the communes at risk;
•  severely degraded road infrastructure especially in the Sahel, South-West, Center-North and East;
•  a decrease in the number of AMS and SAMs during the second quarter of 2017 compared to the same period of 2016.

2) The focus of FEWS NET on cereal prices for the month of July 2017 in the West African sub-region
FEWS NET’s focus on the situation of cereal prices (millet; rice, maize, sorghum) for the month of July 2017 compared to those of the past year and to the average of the last five years in the area of West Africa. It emerges from these comparisons that:

•  the lowest prices are recorded in Chad;
•  the highest prices were recorded in Niger and Nigeria;
•  average prices were recorded in Burkina, Senegal, Mali, Mauritania.

3) The presentation of the vulnerability group of the Pan-African Mutual of Risk Management (ARC) on the identification of pastoral parameters in the analysis of vulnerability linked to drought
It emerges from this presentation that challenges are to be taken up, in particular the identification of the parameters of the impact of drought on pastoral households. For this, a synergy of action must be undertaken with the PRAPS and the SP-CVEL in order to find some answers.
4) Discussions
Following the discussions, several concerns were the subject of suggestions listed as follows:

•  Make a recommendation to the MAAH on the status of herbicides with regard to the dangers arising from their use.
•  make a recommendation to the MRAH in relation to monitoring the areas sown with fodder and the total expected production;
• reformulate this recommendation (the establishment of a mechanism for the transfer of fodder from surplus areas to deficit areas). Rather, it is necessary to encourage and promote the mowing of forage before transfer;
•  delete the recommendation (strengthen the allocation of decentralized services with phytosanitary products to fight against crop pests during the dry season and the next agricultural season) because it is found in the recommendation (Include pesticides in the distribution mechanism of State inputs for the next campaigns).

5) The various
They focused on the next joint mission which is scheduled from 08 to 14 October 2017 and the Outcom analysis workshop which will be held from 17 to 20 October 2017. The date of the monthly meeting will be