Spatiotemporal trend analysis of rainfall and temperature, and its implications for crop production

Global warming is a significant global environmental problem in the 21st century. The problem is high in developing countries, particularly sub-Saharan countries in which the majority of the population live on rainfed agriculture. The present study aimed to undertake spatiotemporal analysis of seasonal and annual rainfall and temperature and its implications. The MK test, Sen's slope and precipitation concentration index (PCI) were applied. Finally, Pearson correlation analysis between climatic variables and crop production was analysed. The Mann-Kendall test results showed that the annual and seasonal rainfall trend was highly variable. The minimum and maximum temperatures have increased by 0.8 and 1.1 degrees C/year, respectively. Based on PCI results, rainfall during the summer and spring seasons is moderately distributed as compared to annual and winter season rainfall. Based on these observations, the rainfall pattern and distribution of the area could be classified as irregular and erratic distribution. Results of correlation analysis between monthly and seasonal rainfall with crop production were insufficient to conclude the impact of rainfall and temperature on crop production. In view of this, the incidence of food shortage is a common occurrence. Therefore, depending on the historical trend of rainfall variability and prolonged temperature increase, appropriate coping and adaptation strategies need to be encouraged.