Assessing rainfall variability impacts using Agricultural Index (ARI) on cassava growth in Ilorin area of Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

The scientific evidence on rainfall variability and its very important impact on crop growth are now stronger than ever. It is even more so on tubers (cassava) that serve as staple food in most parts of the world. Hence, the objective of this study which is to assess rainfall variability impacts using agricultural rainfall index (ARI) on cassava growth. Major areas where cassava is highly produced in parts of Ilorin were selected and rainfall data for the 2009 and 2010 and the potential evapotranspiration were used to show mean monthly (ARI) deviation for some selected months in the study area. The result of the analysis show that agricultural rainfall index varies from place to place and from month to month. The findings also reveals that effective rainfed agriculture can easily be carry out for both short variety and other type of crops most especially cassava between the month of April and October when ARI were greater than 100% towards improving the existing cassava industry in the country.