Effects of Rainfall Variability on Cassava Production in Ilorin -East Area of Kwara

Abstract

The primary focus of this study is to determine the extent to which rainfall has been affecting cassava yield in florin East Areas of Kwara State. Annual rainfall data for ten years (1991 2001) and cassava data between (11 years record) of the study area obtained were used. In analyzing the data. Attempt was made to determine how rainfall Affect the production of cassava during the period of eleven years. Thus, the mean standard deviation, cumulative index, coefficient of variance, regression analysis, onset. cessation and L R S were discussed. Also discussed were the correlation between rain fall and cassava in other to determine their relationship. The climatic parameters used as independent variable is rainfall, while cassava as the dependent variable (were correlated and analyzed to investigate the extent to which the growth and yield of cassava is being affected over the years). The result shows that rainfall amount is not the determinant factor for good yield, but how well was the distribution pattern of rain during the cropping season. In correlating length of rainy season with cassava yield for the period of the years considered, it was observed that fluctuation in length of rainy season led to fluctuation in cassava yield.