An Overview of Spatio-Temporal Variability of Drought Intensity and its Implications on Agricultural Production in Yola And Environs of Adamawa State, Nigeria

Abstract

The study aimed to overview the spatio-temporal variability of drought intensity and its implications on agricultural production in Yola and environs of Adamawa State, Nigeria. The data overviewed, synthesized and overviewed in this work were secondary based obtained from the relevant work conducted in the area. The results from the different outcome of the previous work revealed that out of the forty to fifty years (1969-1978-2017) 21 years were assessed to have falls under drought conditions with a variable intensity. Similarly, among the 21 years of drought conditions fourteen years (14) were identified with high drought intensity (1979, 1983, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2013). Furthermore, 1990, 2002, 2006, 2008 and 2013 (five years) were quantified as very high drought intensity. The unprecedented seasonal  drought with an extreme  condition was found in the year 1987, 2002 and 2006 having a minimum amount of rainfall (678.7mm, 656.4mm and 764.9 mm) which imposed serious implications on agricultural production such as poor yield, loss of vegetation, starvation of livestock, drying of lakes and dams and subsequently affecting socio-economic activities in the area. It is obvious that the study area is adversely facing drought with a variable intensity due to gradual reduction of precipitation caused by climatic changes most especially in the recent decades. The insufficient rainfall is enough substantial to support the growth and development of the major crops grown in the area. Farmers should therefore adopt early planting of improved drought resistant crop varieties in an attempt to curtail the spatial and temporal variability of droughts hazards in the area for optimum food production of the growing population in the area.