Impact of rainfall variability on leguminous crops production in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria

Rainfall variability is a significant factor in ensuring food security for every part of the world. Rainfall, especially in tropical regions, is one of the main factors affecting the production of leguminous crops, particularly in Zaria. The aim of this study is to assess the influence of rainfall variability on leguminous crop production in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, and to determine the trend in leguminous crop yields in the study area. Rainfall data were obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) in Zaria for a period of ten years (2015-2024), and leguminous crop yields were acquired from the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Service (NAERLS) for the same ten-year period (2015- 2024). These data were analyzed using correlation and simple linear regression analysis. The results revealed that variability in rainfall during the growing season positively affects leguminous crop yields in the study area, with correlation coefficients of 0.581. There is a general fluctuation in the rainfall pattern from 2015 to 2024. From the data gathered, it is observed that rainfall typically begins in April and ceases in October. The regression analysis showed that the rainfall variability indices account for 40.7 percent of the influence on leguminous crop yield, with r = 0.581 (0.316) during the reference period (2015-2024). This study recommends the judicious use of weather and climate forecasts and further research on other environmental factors such as soil fertility, as this will aid farmers in proper planning during crop production activities.