Application of GIS to assess rainfall variability impacts on crop yield in Guinean Savanna part of Nigeria

Abstract

The scientific evidence on rainfall variability with its significant impacts on crop yield is now stronger than ever. It is even more so on maize that serves as staple food in most parts of Sub-Sahara Africa. Hence, this study aim at examines and map spatio-temporal impacts of rainfall variability on water availability for maize yield using Geographic Information System (GIS). Major regions where maize is highly produced in Nigeria were selected and rainfall data for 30 years (1970 to 2000) were used for the
Geospatial analysis. GIS Interpolation and other geospatial Analysis techniques were carried out to map the impacts of rainfall variability on maize yield. The results of the analysis and the maps produced show that inter-annual rainfall variability consequently affect the rate of maize yield in Nigeria.