Effects of some meteorological variables on cassava production in Edo State, Nigeria via density estimation

Abstract

Agricultural productivity depends on weather variables because crop yield and animal productivity are directly affected by these variables. Due to the significant roles of weather variables in agriculture and the environment; studying their effects is therefore unavoidable because this will help in the general performance and evaluation of agricultural productivity. The effect of weather variables on agricultural productivity globally is a major issue due to the fact that the existence of humanity is directly dependent on agricultural products. This study employs the nonparametric statistical approach in investigating the interactions between temperature and relative humidity and their direct effects on cassava production in Edo State, Nigeria. The statistical analysis of the variables for purposes of exploratory and visualization is examined owing to the fact that underlying structures of the variables form the basis of decisions and policies making by weather experts. The study investigates the interactions between temperature and relative humidity and their effects on cassava production for a period of six years which is from 2014 to 2019 in Edo State, Nigeria using kernel method. The results obtained revealed that quality cassava yields annually is associated with higher relative humidity and lower temperature and vice-versa with 2014 producing the best yield while 2017 produced poorly for the period under consideration.

Keywords

• Agriculture
• Cassava
• Weather
• Temperature
• Relative humidity
• Kernel density