Impact of Rainfall Variability on the Yield of Sorghum and Farmers’ Adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAP) Towards Food Security in Bauchi State, Nigeria (Published)
This study assessed the impact of rainfall variability on the yield of sorghum and farmers’ adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices (CSAP) towards food security in Bauchi State, Nigeria. Rainfall and sorghum yield data for 30 years (1991 – 2021) were used for the study. Three hundred and eighty-two farmers were purposively sampled using Krejcie and Morgan’s sampling method. Questionnaire survey was used to elicit information from the farmers. Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient (r) was used to show the relationship between rainfall variability and the yield of sorghum in the study area. The trend lines of total annual rainfall and sorghum yield data shows an increase in rainfall and increase in the yield of sorghum. Results of the Pearson’s product moment correlation coefficient (r) at 0.05 significance level shows an indirect/negative and non-perfect relationship (r=-0.3035) between rainfall and sorghum yield. The results further showed that increase in rainfall amounts led to decrease in sorghum yield at Bauchi; sorghum yield appeared to drop below normal towards the end of the period reviewed. Findings also showed that the farmers in the area adopt CSAP such as: the use of organic manure, mixed cropping, use of improved seed varieties and the application of chemical fertilizer in the production of sorghum and other related crops. The study recommended the establishment of more weather stations for more climatic data generation, seasonal forecast of rainfall characteristics and the adoption of viable CSAP by farmers to enhance productivity and food security.
Keywords: CSAP, Rainfall, Sorghum, Variation, yield
Analysis of Rainfall Trend and Its Relationship with Sorghum Yield in Sudan Savanna Region of Nigeria (Published)
This study analyzed rainfall trend and its relationship with sorghum yield in Sudan Savanna region of Nigeria by examining the trends of rainfall, crop yield and relate annual rainfall trend with length of the growing season. Rainfall data for 62 years (1956-2018) were obtained and subjected to statistical analysis. Pearson’s correlation was employed to test the relationship between rainfall and sorghum yield in the study area. The result shows increase in annual rainfall in Bauchi, Gusau, Kano, and Yola polygons while there was a decrease in annual rainfall in Katsina, Potiskum and Sokoto polygons. In termsf trend, there was a relatively earlier rainfall onset dates in all the Thiessen polygons with exception of Bauchi and Yola area where rainfall onset date changes insignificantly toward early pattern. There was also a decline in rainfall cessation in Bauchi, Gusau, Kano, Katsina and Sokoto Thiessen polygons within the study period. The Pearson’s correlation indicates a significant relationship between annual rainfall and sorghum yield in the study area with an average P-value of 0.71 which indicates a strong and positive relationship. The study therefore recommends sensitization of sorghum farmers on the relationship between sorghum and rainfall and the need to adopt variety of sorghum that can endure drought as a way of reducing the possible crop loss due to rainfall variability since rainfall show high variability.
Keywords: Rainfall, Sorghum, Sudan savanna, trend, yield