IMPACT OF RAINFALL VARIATION ON CASSAVA PRODUCTION IN OWERRI NORTH LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF IMO STATE NIGERIA

Sydney O. Uchenna, Kasimu S.U., Dogo B.A. (PhD) and Kabiru M.D. (PhD)

ABSTRACT

The farming calendar of rain fed agriculture is determined by the rainfall of affected areas, and this calendar can be early or late in setting based on the period the rainfall sets in. Agricultural activities depend on the seasonal distribution of rainfall which varies due to irregularities in its onset and cessation. This study examined the effects of rainfall variation on cassava yields in Owerri North Local Government Area from 1995 to 2017. This study employed an expos factor research design and utilized secondary data of rainfall from synoptic station of evaluation unit and crop yield from planning department _of `IMO Agricultural Development Project, Owerri, from 1995 to 2017. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of data. The findings of the study show that rainfall had an almost constant trend with a 0.03 percent level of variation (r²=0.03), while cassava yield had an increasing trend, with a 72 percent level of variation (r²=0.7154) in the period under study. The results from linear regression analysis show that decrease in rainfall had a negative influence on cassava yield with a coefficient value of – 0.002. This implies that a decrease in rainfall affects cassava yield by – 0.002 percent. The result extract of Pearson moment correlation analysis between rainfall and cassava yield in the study area was arrived at – 0.036, indicating a weak negative linear relationship. The study therefore established that there is a positive association between decreasing rainfall and crop yield, and hence it recommends that investment should be made to supplement rain fed agriculture. This include use of irrigation, mulching, better practicable environmental policies and extension of weather forecast to rural farmers in order for this area, and the larger state to have sustainable agriculture, which is essential for food security, economic self-reliance, and improved nutrition and wellbeing for the people.

Keywords:  Cassava yield; Rainfall variation; Rain fed Agricultural practice; Owerri north