CIBITOKE March 20th (ABP) – A seasonal forecast dissemination workshop was organized at the headquarters of Cibitoke province (northwestern Burundi) on Monday March 18, 2019 by the Forum of Producers’ Organizations in Burundi (FOPABU), supported by GIZ through Adaptation to Climate Change and Protection of Water and Soil Resources (ACCES).
The objective of the workshop was the common understanding of seasonal forecasts and dissemination to the people for adoption of agricultural adaptation mechanisms.
The Director of Hydrometeorology and Agro Meteorology, Mr. Augustin Ngenzirabona, revealed that the Burundi seasonal rainfall for March, April and May (MAM) 2019, corresponding to crop season B, will be generally normal and with an excess tendency over most part of the country. This is the case of the western, central, northwestern, southern and eastern Burundi regions, whereas the northern and northwestern regions of the country may experience rainfall below normal climatic conditions. Some regions may however experience much rain either or below normal climatic conditions, he noted.
Geographical Institute of Burundi (IGEBU) Worker Ezekiel Kayoya said that the analysis of that seasonal weather forecast is always preceded by an evaluation of the previous forecast. He indicated that the length of season B is three months, starting on February 15, 2019 and ending between May 10 and 25, 2019.
In Cibitoke province, the rain will be up to 40/100, normal to 35/100 and deficit in the order of 25/100, a check by ABP revealed.
Participants in the workshop agreed thus on messages to announce to people. The latter are called on to plant very early-maturing vegetables or drought-resistant plants. They should also focus on irrigation where it is possible.
The Director of the Provincial Office of the Environment, Agriculture and Livestock (BPEAE) in Cibitoke, Ms. Béatrice Nyabenda, thanked FOPABU for choosing Cibitoke among the five provinces for that information activity. She hoped that the seasonal forecasts would reach the BPEAEs before the beginning of the cropping seasons for the good supervision of the farmers.
