Abstract:
Supplementary irrigation from runoff catch basins reduces the negative impact of dry spells on agricultural production in the Sahel. Climate change is causing more frequent extreme weather events, recurrent and longer dry spells, and greater uncertainty about the planting date and duration of the growing season. Supplementary irrigation is a technique by which farmers water crops during long dry spells in the rainy season using runoff water stored in basins near the crop fields. Access to climate information allowed 90% of farmers involved in the project to avoid reseeding and to better schedule farming activities. The Meteorology Directorate must build weather stations to improve forecasting.
