Drought Monitoring Techniques for Famine Early Warning Systems in Africa - Monitoring and Predicting Agricultural Drought: A Global Study - page 263

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used to monitor the green-up period in sub-Saharan Africa and to detect
anomalous vegetation conditions. Since 1995, satellite-derived rainfall esti-
mates have been used in a similar manner. Crop performance models have
since been developed which use NDVI and RFE data as input. The WRSI
crop model is applied to the Sahel, southern Africa, and Greater Horn of
Africa regions for a variety of crops during their growing seasons. The
RNCD method combines rainfall and vegetation conditions and is applied
primarily in the Sahel region.
Remote sensing and satellite-derived products, as well as crop models
based on satellite data inputs, will continue to play major roles in future
FEWS NET activities. In the ongoing effort to monitor and alleviate food
insecurity in Africa, FEWS NET scientists will continue to use satellite data
to model and understand long-term trends exhibited in the satellite-derived
vegetation, rainfall, and crop performance. Planned activities call for model
validation wherever and whenever precious ground data become available.
Analyses will also be undertaken to characterize teleconnections relating
crop performance in Africa with El Niño and other climate indicators.

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References
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