GEOGLAM crop monitor for early warning report: March 2022
The GEOGLAM Crop Monitor for Early Warning (CM4EW) is an international and transparent multi-source, consensus assessment of the crop growing conditions, status, and agro-climatic conditions that are likely to impact global production. The CM4EW reports on climate hazards, such as drought, flood, and extreme weather, as well as pests and crop diseases, as part of its monitoring of countries at risk of famine and to provide early warnings of impending crop shortfalls. The CM4EW report is published online each month. This issue covers conditions in February 2022.
In East Africa, planting is underway for Belg crops in Ethiopia with concerns due to dry conditions and ongoing conflict in the north. In Kenya, harvest has finalized for Short Rains crops under poor to failure conditions due to persistent dryness. There is increasing concern across parts of the region due to a possible fourth consecutive season of below-average rainfall forecast for the upcoming March to May rains (See Seasonal Forecast Alert Pg. 4). In West Africa, harvesting of main season cereals mostly completed last month under generally favourable conditions except in areas impacted by persistent dry conditions and in conflict-affected regions. In the Middle East and North Africa, winter wheat crops continue to develop under mixed conditions as dryness may impact crop outcomes in parts of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Syria, and Iraq. In Southern Africa, conditions remain mixed for main season cereals as dry conditions have expanded in parts of the subregion, and the passage of several tropical storms and cyclones since January has impacted crops in southern Malawi, Mozambique, and Madagascar. In Central and South Asia, winter wheat crops continue to develop under mixed conditions due to persistent dryness in parts of Afghanistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan.