Analysis of Rainfall Trend and its Relationship with Sorghum Yield in Sudan Savanna Region of Nigeria

Ariko Joseph D.¹ , Ikpe Elisha² , Sawa Bulus A.³

1. Dept. of Geography, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria-Nigeria.
2. Dept. of Geography, Federal College of Education, Benue-Nigeria.
3. Dept. of Geography, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria.

Section:Research Paper, Product Type: Journal-Paper
Vol.10 , Issue.3 , pp.34-44, Mar-2024

Online published on Mar 31, 2024

Copyright © Ariko Joseph D., Ikpe Elisha, Sawa Bulus A. . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
 

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Abstract :
This research analysed rainfall trend and its relationship with the yield of sorghum 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 (1956-2018) were sourced from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet). The data were used to characterise the climate of the study area. Pearson’s correlation was employed to show the relationship between rainfall and sorghum yield. 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 terms of trend, there was a relatively early 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 areas 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.

Key-Words / Index Term :
Agriculture, Sudan Savanna, Rainfall, Trend, Sorghum, Yield

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