Trends of Productivity of Water in Rainfed Crops in Ilorin South, Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract

In sub- Sahara, rain fed agriculture is the dominant source of food production. It is likely going to remain so for the next foreseeable future. However, yield from rain fed agriculture are often very low. But there is enormous opportunity to raise crop yield of rain fed agriculture especially by focusing on the aspect of increase productivity of water, formulate and adopt appropriate adequate option for increasing productivity of water in rain fed agriculture. The paper therefore, assessed the trend of productivity of water (PW) for each of the crop during the cropping season. Evapotranspiration occasioned by either mid cropping season, dry spell or early cessation of rainfall and low rainfall utilization are primary drive of production of water (PW) in rain fed agriculture in the area. Other factors that are usually put forward by agricultural stake holders in the region include poor soil nutrient and lack of proper crop management. These are secondary and could be considered as spill over effects from these primary drives of productivity of water (PW).

Keywords: Cessation, crop yield, onset, productivity of water, water crop requirement.