Impact of drought on cereal crop yields in the Savanna Region of Nigeria

ABSTRACT

This study examined the impact of drought indices on cereal crops in the Kaduna River Basin (KRB). The study showed positive relationships between crop yields and drought indices except for temperature which revealed negative correlations. The study further revealed that rainfall mostly influence crop yields followed by soil moisture and VCI. Analysis on Standardized Precipitation Index showed (r=0.907; p < 0.01), (r = 0.862; p < 0.01) and (r = 0.722; p < 0.05) for millet, maize and soybean yields respectively. The study revealed 2005 and 2006 as the severe drought years while 2010 and 2011 were recorded as the wettest years.  

KEYWORDS:

• Kaduna River Basin
• Crop Yields
• Vegetation Condition Index
• Standardized Precipitation Index

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Additional information

Funding

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Notes on contributors

Olufemi Sunday Durowoju

Olufemi S. Durowoju holds a PhD degree in Meteorology and Climate Science from Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. He is a Lecturer II in the Department of Geography, Osun State University, Osogbo, Okuku Campus, Nigeria. He specializes in Hydroclimatology, Hydrological Modeling and Watershed Hydrology. He is a member of Association of Nigerian Geographers.

Temi Emmanuel Ologunorisa

Temi E. Ologunorisa holds a PhD degree in Climatology from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. He is a full Professor of Climate Science in the Department of Meteorology and Climate Science, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria, and also an Adjunct Professor of Geography at Liberty University, Lynchburg, Virginia, United States. He has three decades of teaching and research experience in Hydroclimatology, floods, droughts and climate - society interactions. He is a member of Association of Nigerian Geographers, Nigerian Meteorological Society and Association of American Geographers.

Ademola Akinbobola

Ademola Akinbobola holds a PhD degree in Meteorology from Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. He is a Reader and the current Ag. Head of the Department of Meteorology and Climate Science, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria. He specializes in Applied Meteorology and Biometeorology. He is a member of Nigerian Meteorological Society (N.MeT.S).