In Senegal, cereal production is estimated to have increased by 20% in 2017 compared to 2016. Experts will investigate how much climate services contributed to this improvement in the coming years, given Senegal’s dedication to ramping up climate services in the country.
On 28 November 2017, the government of Senegal signed a decree establishing the country’s National Framework for Climate Services (NFCSs), taking Senegal one step closer to protecting its vulnerable communities from climate shocks. National frameworks coordinate the delivery of climate services to ensure that information provided to decision-makers are authoritative, dependable and tailored to user needs. This milestone was reached with support from the Climate Services for Increased Resilience in the Sahel project, a Global Framework for Climate Services (GFCS) initiative funded by USAID.
The signing of the decree paves the way for the formal launch of Senegal’s NFCS. Following the launch, an Interministerial Council on Climate Services will be established to help ensure that science- based climate information and prediction are integrated into planning, policy and practice. Senegal’s ministries have been involved from the beginning, having participated in the country’s first National Climate Outlook Forum in June 2017. The forum brought together some 60 experts to study the country’s seasonal rain forecast and its implications on food security, health, disaster risk management, energy and water management.
Training on climate services for various sectors is also in the pipeline for Senegal. The Senegalese Meteorological Service (ANACIM) has been working closely with the country’s various climate service user groups to ensure that their needs are met. A National Consultation identified priority interventions for agriculture, health and energy sectors, as well as the capacity development needed to implement these activities. ANACIM also benefited in July 2017 from a climate training workshop conducted by the United States National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center at the African Centre of Meteorological Applications for Development (ACMAD).
Representatives from ANACIM and the ministries of agriculture, food security, hydrology and markets meet every 10 days to jointly review the 10-day forecast and the status of the rainy season, run-off in main rivers, food security, vegetation growth and trade.
