Impact of drought on cereal crop yields in the Savanna Region of Nigeria

Abstract

ABSTRACT This study examined the impact of drought indices on cereal crops in the Kaduna River Basin (KRB). The study showed positive relationships between crop yields and drought indices except for temperature which revealed negative correlations. The study further revealed that rainfall mostly influence crop yields followed by soil moisture and VCI. Analysis on Standardized Precipitation Index showed (r=0.907; p < 0.01), (r = 0.862; p < 0.01) and (r = 0.722; p < 0.05) for millet, maize and soybean yields respectively. The study revealed 2005 and 2006 as the severe drought years while 2010 and 2011 were recorded as the wettest years.