AGROMETEOROLOGICAL AGROMETEOROLOGICAL DATA AND FOOD SECURITYDATA AND FOOD SECURITY

Prof. N.J. BelloProf. N.J. BelloCollege of Environmental Resources ManagementCollege of Environmental Resources Management

University of Agriculture, AbeokutaUniversity of Agriculture, Abeokuta

AGROMETEOROLOGICAL DATA AND FOOD SECURITYAGROMETEOROLOGICAL DATA AND FOOD SECURITY

IntroductionIntroductionThe four major components of food security are:The four major components of food security are:Food availability,Food availability,

Food access,Food access, Food utilization and Food utilization and Stability of food production system Stability of food production system

The four components are affected by climate but food The four components are affected by climate but food

availability and stability of food production system are availability and stability of food production system are most intimately associated with climate variability and its most intimately associated with climate variability and its changes. Schanges. Since the 1972 Sahelian drought the falling ince the 1972 Sahelian drought the falling trends of food production in this country seem to have trends of food production in this country seem to have persisted.persisted.

Some Few Endangered/Lost crops in NigeriaSome Few Endangered/Lost crops in Nigeria

Tree Food CropsTree Food Crops

Bread Fruit & yield of other fruit trees such as Mango, Bread Fruit & yield of other fruit trees such as Mango, Cherry (agbalumo) irvingia, citrus, guava etc have fallen Cherry (agbalumo) irvingia, citrus, guava etc have fallen drastically. Also Fruit number/tree & fruit sizes as well as drastically. Also Fruit number/tree & fruit sizes as well as their juice content have reducedtheir juice content have reduced

Food Crops Food Crops

Millet, Wheat, Acha, Irish Potato, Cocoyam, Bread Millet, Wheat, Acha, Irish Potato, Cocoyam, Bread Fruit, CoffeeFruit, Coffee and some yam varieties and some yam varieties

Some Few Endangered/Lost crops in Nigeria (Contd.)Some Few Endangered/Lost crops in Nigeria (Contd.)

Vegetables Vegetables Some varieties of vegetables:(Ebolo, Odu,Worowo Some varieties of vegetables:(Ebolo, Odu,Worowo

Yanrin, Ajefowo Elegede,Isapa & many mushrooms like Yanrin, Ajefowo Elegede,Isapa & many mushrooms like Olu, wuruku, Oran, Olu, wuruku, Oran, ogogo, takele, tipitipa, agbe abaarun, ogogo, takele, tipitipa, agbe abaarun, eti okete to mention a feweti okete to mention a few

Seeds and Nuts Seeds and Nuts

Bambara nut, Shear nuts, Beni-seeds,Palm Bambara nut, Shear nuts, Beni-seeds,Palm Kernel,G/nuts,Kernel,G/nuts,Wallnut Wallnut

Climatic Threats to food securityClimatic Threats to food security

Anomaly in the variability and change in meteorological Anomaly in the variability and change in meteorological elements (Rainfall, Radiation intensity Temperature, elements (Rainfall, Radiation intensity Temperature, evaporation, wind) have increased evaporation, wind) have increased

As a result the incidence of hazards such as drought, As a result the incidence of hazards such as drought, heat waves, floods and abnormal dry spells during the heat waves, floods and abnormal dry spells during the growing season have become highergrowing season have become higher

Consequently the soil, livestock and other food Consequently the soil, livestock and other food production factors at local and regional scales appear production factors at local and regional scales appear most vulnerable. most vulnerable.

Order of presentationOrder of presentation

Agrometeorological Focus of Food Security Agrometeorological Focus of Food Security

The agrometeorological data required for crop growth and yieldThe agrometeorological data required for crop growth and yield

Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in AgricultureSpecific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture

Measurement of agrometeorological dataMeasurement of agrometeorological data

Processing and analysis of agrometeorological data for crop yield Processing and analysis of agrometeorological data for crop yield prediction and assessmentprediction and assessment

Recommendations to strengthen agrometeorological services for Recommendations to strengthen agrometeorological services for food security food security

Agrometeorological Focus of Food SecurityAgrometeorological Focus of Food Security

Understanding of the complex interactions between the atmospheric Understanding of the complex interactions between the atmospheric environment (Climate),crops and livestock environment (Climate),crops and livestock

Prediction and control of the climatic attributes for better agricultural Prediction and control of the climatic attributes for better agricultural production and operational Management in crops, livestock and production and operational Management in crops, livestock and forestry.forestry.

Forecasts of climatic hazards or weather hazards to agricultural Forecasts of climatic hazards or weather hazards to agricultural production and the control or protection of crops against such production and the control or protection of crops against such hazards like floods, drought, wind, heat wave etchazards like floods, drought, wind, heat wave etc

Agrometeorological Focus of Food Security (contd.)Agrometeorological Focus of Food Security (contd.)

Determine accurate schedule of farm operations such as Determine accurate schedule of farm operations such as time of land preparation, planting, fertilizer application, time of land preparation, planting, fertilizer application, amount of irrigation water to ensure optimal crop yield amount of irrigation water to ensure optimal crop yield and advice on time of harvesting of crops.and advice on time of harvesting of crops.

Understanding, the climatic condition favouring the Understanding, the climatic condition favouring the breeding and infestation. of plant and animal pathogens breeding and infestation. of plant and animal pathogens and pests and their prediction, control and managementand pests and their prediction, control and management

The appraisal of the climatic characteristics of an area The appraisal of the climatic characteristics of an area for the introduction of a specific crop or domestic animal for the introduction of a specific crop or domestic animal or a group of plants and animals.or a group of plants and animals.

Agrometeorological Focus of Food Security (contd.)Agrometeorological Focus of Food Security (contd.)

Climatic Classification of different agroecological areas for Climatic Classification of different agroecological areas for agricultural land use planning and particularly the selection of agricultural land use planning and particularly the selection of appropriate crops, agricultural systems and animal husbandry appropriate crops, agricultural systems and animal husbandry suitable for a given location suitable for a given location

Micro-climatic modification to improve crop yield through the use of Micro-climatic modification to improve crop yield through the use of wind shelter mulches, and radiation shield practices.wind shelter mulches, and radiation shield practices.

Use climatic parameters accurately for the storage of harvested Use climatic parameters accurately for the storage of harvested crops in man-modified micro-environments to prevent post harvest crops in man-modified micro-environments to prevent post harvest losses due to pests and diseases.losses due to pests and diseases.

Carry out agrometeorological observations, obtain data and perform Carry out agrometeorological observations, obtain data and perform routine data processing routine data processing

The Agrometeorological Data required for crop growth and yieldThe Agrometeorological Data required for crop growth and yield

The Moisture agrometeorological data are: The Moisture agrometeorological data are:

Precipitation (Rainfall), ) Precipitation (Rainfall), ) Evaporation Evaporation Evapotranspiration (Potential and Actual) Evapotranspiration (Potential and Actual) Soil moisture at different depths depending on Soil moisture at different depths depending on experimental cropsexperimental cropsInformation on dew and plant leaf wetness Information on dew and plant leaf wetness Air humidity ( Absolute and Relative humidity Air humidity ( Absolute and Relative humidity

The Agrometeorological Data required for crop growth and yield (contd.)The Agrometeorological Data required for crop growth and yield (contd.)

The Thermal agrometeorological data are: The Thermal agrometeorological data are:

Air temperature Air temperature Soil temperature at different depths (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 Soil temperature at different depths (5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 cm) and 30 cm) Ground and grass minimum temperature Ground and grass minimum temperature Duration of sunshine/photoperiod Duration of sunshine/photoperiod Solar radiationSolar radiation

The Agrometeorological Data required for crop growth and yield (contd.)The Agrometeorological Data required for crop growth and yield (contd.)

Aerodynamic agrometeorological data are:Aerodynamic agrometeorological data are:

Wind speed at a height of 2metres Wind speed at a height of 2metres

Wind directionWind direction

Air pressureAir pressure

Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in AgricultureSpecific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture

The climatic elements and roles played in agricultureThe climatic elements and roles played in agriculture

1.1. Precipitation (rain)Precipitation (rain)

Determines the beginning and end of the growing seasonDetermines the beginning and end of the growing season

Determines condition of soil moisture during the growing season Determines condition of soil moisture during the growing season

Has influence on the length of the growing seasonHas influence on the length of the growing season

Determines time of planting of annual food crops e.g MaizeDetermines time of planting of annual food crops e.g Maize

Critical during the different phenologigal stages of crops.Critical during the different phenologigal stages of crops.

critical to availability of pasture for animal grazing/organic feeds critical to availability of pasture for animal grazing/organic feeds

critical to seed germination and establishment of seedlingscritical to seed germination and establishment of seedlings

influences the soil moisture condition of the plant environment influences the soil moisture condition of the plant environment

Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)

2. 2. Air temperature Air temperature

Conditions the level of the physico-chemical reactions of the plants and Conditions the level of the physico-chemical reactions of the plants and therefore their biological activitiestherefore their biological activitiesInfluences rate of development of plants and thus the length of its Influences rate of development of plants and thus the length of its vegetative cyclevegetative cycleIt conditions evaporative phenomenaIt conditions evaporative phenomenaIt has a direct influence on the soil temperature near the surface and It has a direct influence on the soil temperature near the surface and therefore conditions the rate of decomposition of organic mattertherefore conditions the rate of decomposition of organic matterDetermines germination of crops and physiological changes after Determines germination of crops and physiological changes after germination germination Important to organic matter decomposition in the plant environmentImportant to organic matter decomposition in the plant environmentDetermines the physiologic comfort of animals for best performanceDetermines the physiologic comfort of animals for best performanceCould influence the infestation of plant and animal diseasesCould influence the infestation of plant and animal diseasesCould contribute to the spread of fire disaster in the plant Could contribute to the spread of fire disaster in the plant

environmentenvironment

Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)

3. 3. Soil temperatureSoil temperature

Influences ramification of plant rootsInfluences ramification of plant roots

Has significant impact on the activities of soil organic Has significant impact on the activities of soil organic mattermatter

Conditions soil thermal balance Conditions soil thermal balance

Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)

4.Ground temperature 4.Ground temperature

Influences the physiological adaptation of plants and Influences the physiological adaptation of plants and animalsanimals

Modifies the thermal characteristics of the terrestrial Modifies the thermal characteristics of the terrestrial ecosystem Has influence on the natural habitat of ecosystem Has influence on the natural habitat of animals and the micro-organisms in the soil organic layer animals and the micro-organisms in the soil organic layer

Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)

5. 5. Air humidity Air humidity

Encourages breeding and infestation of certain plant and animal Encourages breeding and infestation of certain plant and animal pests and diseasespests and diseases

Could significantly reduce the quantity and quality of crop yield Could significantly reduce the quantity and quality of crop yield

It conditions the inner water balances of plants by restricting the It conditions the inner water balances of plants by restricting the transpiration exchanges transpiration exchanges

It tends to reduce the diurnal ranges of temperature and thereby It tends to reduce the diurnal ranges of temperature and thereby affecting the radiation balanceaffecting the radiation balance

Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)

6. 6. Evaporation and EvapotranspirationEvaporation and Evapotranspiration

Influences water availability for growth processes of Influences water availability for growth processes of plant and animals in their various habitatsplant and animals in their various habitats

Determines the consumptive water use or moisture Determines the consumptive water use or moisture requirements of plants and animalsrequirements of plants and animals

Critical to plant’s biological formation and net Critical to plant’s biological formation and net photosynthesis photosynthesis Could dry out the top soil and lead to crop failureCould dry out the top soil and lead to crop failure

Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)

7. 7. Solar and Terrestrial radiation Solar and Terrestrial radiation

Solar Radiation is crucial to Photosynthesis and Solar Radiation is crucial to Photosynthesis and biological or biomass production in plants ( radiation biological or biomass production in plants ( radiation within the spectral range of 0.4-0.74µ ir referred to as within the spectral range of 0.4-0.74µ ir referred to as Photosynthetic Active Radiation; PAR)Photosynthetic Active Radiation; PAR)

Has significant influence on ground and soil Has significant influence on ground and soil temperaturestemperatures

The pattern of Solar and Terrestrial radiation influences The pattern of Solar and Terrestrial radiation influences the air temperature, evaporation and energy balance in the air temperature, evaporation and energy balance in the plant environment the plant environment

Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)

8. 8. Duration of sunshine or/Photoperiod Duration of sunshine or/Photoperiod

Critical to flowering and fruit formationCritical to flowering and fruit formation

Has effect on diurnal radiation balanceHas effect on diurnal radiation balance

Influences evaporationInfluences evaporation

Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)

9. 9. Wind speed Wind speed

Influences evaporation and diffusion of carbon dioxideInfluences evaporation and diffusion of carbon dioxide

Causes mechanical damage to plantsCauses mechanical damage to plants

A transporting agent for sand particles which may harm A transporting agent for sand particles which may harm the vegetal surfaces of crop plant which may harm the the vegetal surfaces of crop plant which may harm the vegetal surfaces of crop plantvegetal surfaces of crop plant

Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)Specific Roles of Climatic Elements in Agriculture (contd.)

10. 10. Soil moistureSoil moisture

Important to seed germination and helps plants to Important to seed germination and helps plants to maintain its natural turgiditymaintain its natural turgidity

11. 11. Dew Dew

. Delays rise in leaf temperature. Delays rise in leaf temperature

Encourages the breeding of plant pathogensEncourages the breeding of plant pathogens

Agroclimatic elements and their measurementsAgroclimatic elements and their measurements

Precipitation (rain) Precipitation (rain) Rainguage (ordinary, automatic), Rainguage (ordinary, automatic), memory store rainguage with data logger memory store rainguage with data logger

Air temperature Air temperature Minimum and maximum thermometerMinimum and maximum thermometerThermograph/thermo-hydrograph , Temperature sensor Thermograph/thermo-hydrograph , Temperature sensor

Soil temperature Soil temperature Soil thermometer, Soil temperature sensorSoil thermometer, Soil temperature sensor

Air humidity Air humidity Wet and dry bulb hydrometerWet and dry bulb hydrometerthermo hydrograph, Humidity sensor thermo hydrograph, Humidity sensor

Agroclimatic elements and their measurements (contd.)Agroclimatic elements and their measurements (contd.)

Air pressure Air pressure Barometer (simple, aneroid) Barograph Barometer (simple, aneroid) Barograph

Wind speed Wind speed A three cup anemometerA three cup anemometer

Wind direction Wind direction

Wind vaneWind vane

Duration of sunshine Duration of sunshine Campbell stroke sunshine recorder Campbell stroke sunshine recorder

EvaporationEvaporationClass A pan , lysymeter, evaporation sensor Class A pan , lysymeter, evaporation sensor

Agroclimatic elements and their measurements (contd.)Agroclimatic elements and their measurements (contd.)

Solar radiation Solar radiation Pyrheliometer ( radiation intensity)Pyrheliometer ( radiation intensity)Pyramometer (shortwave radiation)Pyramometer (shortwave radiation)Pyradiometer (infrared and short-wave solar radiation)Pyradiometer (infrared and short-wave solar radiation)Net radiometer (net radiation)Net radiometer (net radiation)Pygeometer: ( infrared or long-wave radiation)Pygeometer: ( infrared or long-wave radiation)Albedometer ( albedo of a surface) Albedometer ( albedo of a surface)

Ground temperature Ground temperature Grass minimum temperature/sensor Grass minimum temperature/sensor

Soil moisture Soil moisture Soil moisture probe/ sensor Soil moisture probe/ sensor

Some important considerations for sitting an agrometeorological stationSome important considerations for sitting an agrometeorological station

The area must be well drained The area must be well drained

It must not be on a sloppy groundIt must not be on a sloppy ground

Must be far from any obstruction e.g. building, trees e.t.c.Must be far from any obstruction e.g. building, trees e.t.c.

Avoid changes in the location of a weather station or changes in the natural Avoid changes in the location of a weather station or changes in the natural and or man-made environment around itand or man-made environment around it

In an area of uniform terrain weather stations should be randomly In an area of uniform terrain weather stations should be randomly

distributed over spacedistributed over space In an area of about In an area of about 100 square km100 square km about 5 weather/ rainfall stations about 5 weather/ rainfall stations could serve satisfactorilycould serve satisfactorily

Processing and analysis of agrometeorological data for food securityProcessing and analysis of agrometeorological data for food security

Rainfall (Rainfall (From daily rainfall records determine the followingFrom daily rainfall records determine the following))

Dry days and Dry Spells and their probabilitiesDry days and Dry Spells and their probabilitiesWet days and wet spells and their probabilitiesWet days and wet spells and their probabilitiesOnset, Cessation and duration of the rainy seasonOnset, Cessation and duration of the rainy seasonPersistence on transition of the mean dates of the onset Persistence on transition of the mean dates of the onset of the rain.of the rain.Probabilities of persistence of transition of categories of Probabilities of persistence of transition of categories of wet and dry days as well as the early normal and late wet and dry days as well as the early normal and late onset of the rainonset of the rainRainfall variability and seasonalityRainfall variability and seasonalityReplicability of seasonal rainfallReplicability of seasonal rainfall

Processing and analysis of agrometeorological data for food security Processing and analysis of agrometeorological data for food security (contd.)(contd.)

Rainfall; crop water requirement satisfaction indexRainfall; crop water requirement satisfaction index

Actual water availability during crop’s phenological stagesActual water availability during crop’s phenological stages

Actual water availability- consumptive water use ratioActual water availability- consumptive water use ratio

Decadal rainfallDecadal rainfallDecadal water requirement satisfaction indexDecadal water requirement satisfaction index

Heptadal rainfall Heptadal rainfall Heptadal water requirement satisfaction indexHeptadal water requirement satisfaction index

Pentad rainfallPentad rainfallPentad water requirement satisfaction index Pentad water requirement satisfaction index

Processing and analysis of agrometeorological data for food security Processing and analysis of agrometeorological data for food security (contd.)(contd.)

TemperatureTemperatureCardinal temperature of crops and physiological Cardinal temperature of crops and physiological temperatures temperatures

Soil moistureSoil moisture Actual water capacity of the soilActual water capacity of the soil

Evaporation and evapotranspirationEvaporation and evapotranspiration

Reference crop evapotranspiration (lysimeter studies)Reference crop evapotranspiration (lysimeter studies)Petad, heptadal and decadal crop consumptive water Petad, heptadal and decadal crop consumptive water use use

Recommendations to strengthen agrometeorological services for Recommendations to strengthen agrometeorological services for food securityfood security

Adequate number of agrometeorological stations Adequate number of agrometeorological stations (conventional and automatic) should be set up in each (conventional and automatic) should be set up in each agro ecological region to obtain relevant climatic dataagro ecological region to obtain relevant climatic data

Attempt a regular classification of climate to define Attempt a regular classification of climate to define macroclimatic zones with specific characteristics that can macroclimatic zones with specific characteristics that can be exploited for food securitybe exploited for food security

Provides useful information for soil and water Provides useful information for soil and water conservationconservation

Device means of reducing the risk from unusual or Device means of reducing the risk from unusual or extreme meteorological eventsextreme meteorological events

Recommendations to strengthen agrometeorological services for food Recommendations to strengthen agrometeorological services for food security (contd.)security (contd.)

Produce agro-climatological maps and review from time to time the Produce agro-climatological maps and review from time to time the condition of production potentials of various crop at different condition of production potentials of various crop at different locationslocations

Produce pentads, Dekads, and Heptadal agrometeorological Produce pentads, Dekads, and Heptadal agrometeorological bulletins to be able to effectively track down the pattern of climatic bulletins to be able to effectively track down the pattern of climatic variation and changevariation and change

Use agrometeorological models to select more suitable crops for the Use agrometeorological models to select more suitable crops for the climate and provide climatic advice that farmers can use for climate and provide climatic advice that farmers can use for improving their agricultural productionimproving their agricultural production

Use appropriate crop-water balance model to optimize climate Use appropriate crop-water balance model to optimize climate fertility interactions on yield. fertility interactions on yield.

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