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Introduction
Crop monitoring is in this context part a part of a Food Security Information and Early Warning System. How to set up such is system is out of scope for this tutorial. However, a good general manual is published by FAO. It is called “Handbook for Defining and Setting up a Food Security Information and Early Warning System (FSIEWS) FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS ROME – 2000” The PDF version can be downloaded here
Crop forecasting, how it is usually done.
Crop reporting is normally a regular, ongoing activity during the 12 months of the year. In each country the MOA will have its own priorities for the reporting system. During the growing cycle of the main crops the reporting should be an important tool for crop forecasting. Reporting later in the agricultural year may focus more on indicators of actual crop production, such as marketing activity, prices and food supply conditions, in addition to monitoring of growing conditions during a second crop season. All major food crops and HVC’s should be covered, with the exception probably of industrial crops like rubber and sugarcane.
The Officer in-charge of crop monitoring at Provincial level (PCO) is a key figure in the process. He will report on crop conditions, normally monthly and separately for each of the Crop Zones (strata) of his Province. His report will be based partly on the reports from his staff at District level and below, partly on other sources.
For this purpose a network of informers need to be built up, including large farmers, crop collectors/ assembly traders, millers, representatives of seed, fertilizer and pesticides companies, suppliers of agricultural credit. Their information on the crop situation needs to be tapped regularly by either visits on the spot or by telephone.
A small annual budget is needed to cover maintenance and operation of a few vehicles and motorcycles, travel allowances and modest requirements for office equipment and stationary.
The required background information, that should be at the finger tips of all field staff includes:
- the delimitation and description of Crop Zones (see chapter 3)
- crop calendar, showing planting and harvesting period of crops
- crop varieties and their characteristics
- a description of the main pests and diseases in the area
- a list of most used fertilizers, pesticides and other inputs
Variables to be monitored at the start of the planting season and during the early months of the crop cycle:
- Weather conditions: early or late rains, rains insufficient, normal or excessive
- Availability of seed and fertilizer as compared to last year and, if possible, actual quantities of inputs distributed or sold
- Availability of tractors and fuel and/or draught animals for ploughing
- Availability of labour, agricultural equipment, credit
- Last years crop prices and current input prices acting as an incentive or disincentive for planting
- Impact of population displacement, migration or civil strife on planting performance
- Crop area planted as compared to last year (reasons for any significant change)
- Crop varieties planted: short or long cycle, high or low yield potential, any changes compared to last year
Variables to be monitored, on monthly basis during the whole crop cycle:
- Development of crops in the field (approximate distribution of crop area by crop stage, if planting is staggered over several weeks or months)
- Crop condition as compared to normal (reasons for any significant deterioration)
- Rainfall distribution as compared to normal and compared to crop water requirements
- Degree of damage by pests and diseases
- Effect of adverse weather conditions, dry spell, excessive rain, hailstorm, extreme temperatures
- Area replanted after crop loss due to drought, severe pest attack or natural catastrophes
- Water availability for irrigation
During the last month of the crop cycle an assessment is made of:
- Crop area ready for harvest, i.e. planted area minus crop area lost, as compared to last year
- The average expected yield level in the Crop Zone, as compared to the previous year
Standardized reporting forms are often used. Crop stage for example is reported as a code from 1 - 5 (1=emerging and early vegetative stage, 2= late vegetative stage etc.). Planted area and crop condition are also coded from 1 - 3 or 1 - 5 to indicate percentage change compared to normal or last year. Damage from insect pests and other adverse conditions is reported as “slight”, or ‘serious”.
A standardized format has both advantages and disadvantages In principle it is a convenient way to summarize crop conditions and makes it easy to compare the situation in all Districts of a Province or all Provinces of the Country. On the other hand it may lead field staff to fill out their forms superficially, crossing the box “normal” in most cases.
Therefore the reporting form should provide ample space for remarks and additional information in free format. The rule should be enforced that convincing reasons have to be given for any significant change in crop area and condition that is reported. On the other hand, if no change is reported at all, this will have to be justified as well.
Examples of crop monitoring systems
Some examples of crop monitoring systems have been documented by Jan Jansonius in an Annex to the "Guidelines for Crop Forecasting". These examples are available here