Spatio-temporal Variability of Climate for Crop Production: Analysis and Mapping of Dry and Wet Spells for Crop Production in Some Selected Areas of Upper Awash Basin (UAB), Ethiopia Paperback – March 8, 2011

The timing, variability, and quantity of seasonal and annual rainfall are important factors in the relationship between climate and cultivation in Sub-Saharan Africa. If there is an unexpected break in rainfall early in the growing season, farmers may be able to recover and resume production despite the loss of some of their crops. However, if such a break occurs in the middle or latter part of the growing season, all of the crops sown may suffer irreparable damage, with dire economic consequences for farmer. Besides, frequent dry spells and droughts are common phenomena during the monsoon season. This book, therefore, provides agriculturalists, policy makers and farmers to have a proper knowledge of short period rainfall distribution both in time and space. Furthermore, it gives a detail explanation to know the chances of occurrence of dry spells during the critical stages of the crops for deciding the sowing date, cropping pattern and planning for irrigation and intercultural operations to sustain the rain-fed agriculture. Read more