Page 36 - FULL YEAR BOOK 2021

Mauritania

ERRATIC RAIN TO HIT AGRI, LIVESTOCK IN MAURITANIA

Africa, especially the countries in the Those with a limited mobility of livestock THE ROLE OF MARINE PROTECTED
the purchasing power of agro-pastoralists.
western part of the continent, suffered
poor and erratic rainfall in 2019 and 2020 can suffer significant losses.
may be worse, the Food and Agriculture With a vast amount of land affected by AREAS IN SUSTAINING FISHERIES:
Organization (FAO) warned in January. rainfall and vegetation deficits, there is a
Sparse rain spurred drought in Cape higher risk of concentration of livestock in THE CASE OF THE NATIONAL PARK
Verde, the Gambia, Mauritania and Senegal areas with resources. This may raise risk
in 2019. Such countries may severe food- of diseases in animals and conflict over OF BANC D’ARGUIN
insecurity by June-August, according to the resources.
FAO’s Early Warning Early Action Report. Since October 2019, high concentrations Mauritaina is characterized by fast-
Some 1.7 million people are projected to of animals have already been registered growing fisheries that have developed
be affected by then, more than double the in Guidimakha and South-East Gorgol over the past several decades from low
845,000 who were severely food-insecure regions of Mauritania, and the situation is levels of fishing to intense fishing and
during October-December. likely to worsen. have led to severe decreases in biomass
In Mauritania, 73 per cent hydro- The FAO feared a spread of foot-and and severe signs of overexploitation. To
meteorological stations registered severe mouth disease (FMD) in the region, ensure sustainable fisheries, a primary
rainfall deficits over long-term (1981–2010) especially where the livestock was goal of science-based fisheries policy
average, the FAO report noted. not immunised against ‘Serotype O’, a is to provide an adequate conservation
The delayed and deficit rain affected particular strain of the virus circulating status of marine habitats that are directly,
agriculture. Rainfed crops suffered a 17 widely in west and central Africa since July or indirectly, fundamental for the lifecycle
per cent dip over their five-year average 2018. of fish populations of commercial interest.
production. The highly contagious disease in cattle, This paper presents the economic value
The FAO estimated that Cape Verde’s buffalo, sheep and pigs can affect milk and of the fish provisioning service of marine
maize output would crash 80 per cent meat production and lead to the death of coastal ecosystems of the National Park
by June-August. It also projected the younger animals. Livestock may also be of Banc d’Arguin in Mauritania. The study
production of cereals and cash crops affected by the Rift Valley fever. estimated the added value of artisanal
in the Gambia to be 46 and 70 per The FAO has suggested immediate fisheries, the spatial distribution of
cent respectively below their five-year action to mitigate the impact of drought fishing activities, the contribution of the
averages. on vulnerable pastoralists and agro Park to the Mauritanian fisheries and the
heritage value of artisanal fisheries.
Pasture lands in Mauritania, especially pastoralists. It has sought monitoring
in its west, have been affected by poor livestock markets closely and destocking The results show that, overall, the
rainfall. They have declined in Senegal too weak animals in drought-affected areas. average value for artisanal fisheries is
in regions like Louga, Matam, Saint-Louis, Providing livestock feed and water to about 1 million euros over the period
Kaffrine, Kaolak and Diourbel. safeguard core-breeding stock is essential. 2006-2017. However, the authors state
that it mainly benefits to the ship-
Limited pasture and availability of Boosting the production of fodder along owners, which generates inequalities and
water in several areas of Mauritania and river streams, pastoral wells and low-lying threatens the livelihoods of the Imraguen
Senegal can affect livestock and weaken areas should be prioritised, the FAO said. (residents of the National Park of Banc
d’Arguin).
Crop Production in Mauritania The authors state that fishing grounds
are mostly located close to the shore,
2017 2018 associated with seagrass beds, confirming
Item Name the service of fish provisioning rendered
Area Yield Area Yield by this ecosystem. The contribution of
Production Production
harvested Flag (Hg/ Flag Flag harvested Flag (Hg/ Flag Flag the Park to fishing activities that occur
(tonnes) (tonnes)
(Ha) Ha) (Ha) Ha) within the Mauritanian Exclusive Zone is
estimated to 15%, representing an added
Barley 491 Im 29722 Fc 1459 Im 506 Im 30320 Fc 1535 Im value creation of 71 million euros.
Dates 8956 Im 24513 Fc 21953 Im 9058 Im 24341 Fc 22049 Im
Fruit, fresh nes 842 Im 37704 Fc 3175 Im 855 Im 37181 Fc 3177 Im
Maize 21000 F 6667 Fc 14000 F 22539 Im 6886 Fc 15519 Im
Millet 12026 Im 2759 Fc 3318 Im 11906 Im 2766 Fc 3293 Im
Rice, paddy 47146 Im 52487 Fc 247452 Im 43712 Im 53120 Fc 232196 Im
Sorghum 175891 Im 4568 Fc 80351 Im 175030 Im 4583 Fc 80218 Im
Sweet potatoes 2775 Im 10324 Fc 2865 Im 2920 Im 10249 Fc 2992 Im
Vegetables, fresh nes 918 Im 51189 Fc 4698 Im 942 Im 50131 Fc 4720 Im
Watermelons 4400 F 10000 Fc 4400 Im 3871 Im 7699 Fc 2980 Im
Wheat 3401 Im 21394 Fc 7276 Im 3408 Im 21566 Fc 7349 Im
Yams 470 Im 62766 Fc 2950 Im 472 Im 62769 Fc 2965 Im
Im: FAO data based on imputation methodology Source: FAO Statistical Division 2019
M: Data not available|| FC: Calculated data
34 Arab Agriculture 2021

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