Location, Climate, Soil and Water

Cape Verde consists of 10 islands which are divided into the Barlavento and the Sotavento groups. Most of the islands are originally volcanic. The geology of the islands consists predominantly of rocks of volcanic origin of Tertiary and Quaternary age.

The majority of the Cape Verdean soils are poorly developed, underlined by volcanic rocks. They are normally thin, with high stone content and have in general a low water holding capacity.
Only 10 % of the soils are good for agriculture practices. The soils are generally rich in mineral elements, but poor in organic matter and nitrogen. They have a neutral pH, and can be slightly acid in the more humid areas.

The Cape Verdean climate is tropical and dry, with oceanic influence, showing little variation throughout the year. Winds are frequent, occasionally carrying clouds of sand from the Sahara Desert.
The average annual temperature is around 22 °C, and it is moderate due to the maritime influence.

The rainfall depends on latitude, altitude and wind exposures; it is irregular and varies widely over the years.
80 % of the rain concentrates on the months August, September and October.
Rainfall is too little and too erratic for any conventional agricultural production.
Surface water flow, in the dry valleys or ‘ribeiras’, is only observed during the days following heavy rainfall.
Water supply for irrigation on Cape Verde relies entirely on groundwater, apart from a few springs in upland and humid areas of the more elevated islands (Santiago, Santo Antão, Fogo, São Vicente).