ASSESSMENT OF RAINFALL VARIABILITY FOR SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE IN OWERRI, IMO STATE, NIGERIA

Rainfall variability and agricultural sustainability have been of major concern to the Climatologists, Agriculturists and farmers in general. The net potential effect of severe changes in rainfall pattern is the disruption in crop production leading to food insecurity, joblessness and poverty. As a major concern to increase food production, this study seeks to assess the rainfall variability in Owerri City with a view to enhancing agricultural sustainability. The study used rainfall data (1981-2018) from Nigerian Meteorological Agency. Correlation and Regression techniques were employed for analysis. The result shows that there is no significant relationship between the number of rainy days and annual amount of rainfall. Also, there is no significant relationship between the length of rainy season and number of rainy days in the study area. The study also shows four years forecast of rainfall in the study area. The result shows an evidence and upsurge of low agricultural produce, food insecurity and hunger in the nearest future, and therefore recommends some sustainable agricultural practices that can boost yield, good health and healthy environment and reduce the effect of climate change.