KÉDOUGOU: END OF THE RAINY SEASON AND AN AGRICULTURAL CAMPAIGN MARKED BY RAINFALL DEFICIT

Despite the start of the fonio, maize, rice, and peanut harvests, the 2026-2027 agricultural season in the Kédougou region remains marked by overall rainfall deficits. According to weekly agricultural monitoring report no. 21, covering the period from October 22 to 28, 2026, eleven of the fifteen monitored stations recorded lower rainfall totals than last year.

The rainy season appears to be drawing to a close in the Kédougou region. No rainfall was recorded between October 22nd and 28th, 2026, at any of the fifteen monitored rain gauge stations. This situation confirms the gradual onset of the dry season and occurs within a context marked by significant rainfall disparities between the different localities of the region.

Comparison with the same period in 2025 reveals an overall trend of deficit. Eleven out of fifteen stations recorded lower rainfall totals. The most significant differences were observed at Laminya (-318.1 mm), Saraya (-291 mm), Kédougou Météo (-286.7 mm), Bembou (-280 mm), Fongolimbi (-269.4 mm) and Kédougou Agri (-245.8 mm).

Conversely, four localities show higher rainfall than the previous year. These include Dakatély, with a surplus of 281.5 mm, Salémata (+229 mm), Ethiolo (+94.5 mm) and Mako (+54 mm).

Comparison with the 1991-2020 seasonal reference average also confirms this contrasting situation. Of the fifteen stations monitored, only five show above-average rainfall: Salémata (+276.8 mm), Saraya (+84 mm), Ethiolo (+34.3 mm), Dakatély (+28.3 mm) and Bembou (+15.7 mm).

The other ten stations remain in deficit, with particularly worrying discrepancies at Oubadji (-364.3 mm), Sabodala (-321.3 mm), Laminya (-275.5 mm), Khossanto (-249.6 mm) and Kédougou Météo (-230.1 mm).

Another indicator revealing this situation: the number of rainy days remains significantly below the seasonal normal in all monitored stations, with differences ranging from 98 to 132 days.

Harvests are starting despite water constraints.

Despite the unfavorable rainfall conditions, field observations indicate generally satisfactory crop development. Harvesting of fonio, maize, rice, and peanuts has already begun in several production areas of the region.

As for other crops, particularly sorghum, they are gradually progressing from grain-filling phases towards maturity, suggesting relatively reassuring prospects.

However, this encouraging situation is not uniform across the entire region. In the department of Saraya, water shortages have been reported and are affecting some crops. This situation calls for particular vigilance as farms enter the final stages of their production cycle.

Ultimately, the 2026-2027 agricultural season in Kédougou presents an overall rainfall deficit that is unevenly distributed. While the start of harvests is an encouraging sign for producers, the deficits recorded in several localities, combined with the low number of rainy days, could negatively impact soil moisture and yields for certain crops.