Research
Application of Geographic Information System to the Effects of Climatic Variability on Sustainable Agricultural Production in Kwara State of Nigeria
This research endeavour is on the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) as a tool for analysing the roles of microclimatological characteristics of the study area on the production rates of some selected agricultural products. In the process, specific climatic parameters were used so as to observe the climatic trends over a decade with that of agricultural production rates. Essentially, the required datasets were sourced from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, Kwara Agricultural Development Project Office and Survey Department of Kwara State Ministry of Lands and Housing, Ilorin. The climatic data were later analysed through condesctriptive statistical techniques and the use of charts to show the rates of variation among the parameters used. Also, the selected crops were shown on charts too so as to reveal the trends of variation between the rates of crop production too. Finally, the climatic data were drawn against the crop production rates to indicate concisely the trends of climatic variation especially as it affects the crop production rates over the decade. Essentially, the following constitute as the major observations from the analysis of the datsets: First, most of the crops had the highest yield for the decade in 2008. And in year 2001 the highest value of temperature was recorded while relative humidity and rainfall had second to the lowest values. Further, Year 2004 had the highest rainfall value, temperature and relative humidity were moderate where maize, cassava and rice recorded below average yields. Then, sorghum had its second to the lowest yield value. In essence, the climatic parameters have been found to play crucial roles in the productivity rates for all the crops tested or investigated, meaning that clear understanding about the relevancies of these climatic parameters should be understood before engaging in agricultural activities so as to avert the incidence of crop failures.
