The acronym AGRHYMET stands for AGR : Agronomy HY : Hydrology MET : Meteorology.
Seasonal forecasts are based, amongst other things, on an analysis of the current situation and likely trends in sea surface temperatures (SSTs), forecasts from global climate centres, statistical analyses of data from national meteorological and hydrological services (NMHSs), and expert knowledge of the climate characteristics of West Africa and the Sahel.
Seasonal forecasts for the countries of the Gulf of Guinea are produced in mid-February, and those for the countries in the Sudanese and Sahelian zones of West Africa in late April. Updates are also provided monthly on cumulative rainfall or during the rainy season. Intra-seasonal forecasts are also available on a weekly basis.
Forecasts produced by CILSS or those in which CILSS is a partner can be found on the following websites:
Seasonal forecasts provide the following information:
Cumulative rainfall;
the start dates of the season;
the end dates of the season;
the duration of dry spells;
runoff in catchment areas.
Once the work is complete, the experts also outline the possible implications of the forecasts and make recommendations.
Climate variability is observed in temperatures or rainfall from one season to another or from one month to another. Climate change, on the other hand, is observed over a long period. It refers to climate variability over a period of at least ten years.
To mitigate the effects of climate change, we must:
Stop or reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
Or sequester carbon.
Climate resilience is the ability to adapt to and overcome shocks by responding to climatic conditions. These may include, amongst other things, weather-related shocks such as heavy rainfall or storms, and gradual changes in temperature.
To enrol on a course at the AGRHYMET centre, prospective students must:
Meet the entry requirements:
A science A-level for a higher technician course
Two years of higher education following A-levels for an engineering programme
Four years of higher education following A-levels for a Master’s programme
Submit their application to the centre’s management at the following address:
administration.agrhymet@cilss.int
Be a scholarship holder or have a source of funding.
There are two options:
Case 1: Subsidised course:
Higher Technician and Engineering programmes
Sponsored student: 2,600,000 FCFA per year
Private student: 2,200,000 FCFA per year
Master’s programme
Sponsored students: 3,600,000 FCFA per year
Self-funded students: 3,200,000 FCFA per year
Case 2: Courses organised at the express request of a project, a donor, a country or an institution:
Higher technician and engineering programmes: 10,000,000 FCFA per year
Master’s programmes: 11,000,000 FCFA per year