Modeling rainfall as a constraining factor for Cocoa yield in Ondo State

Abstract

Rainfall is undoubtedly a determining agro-meteorological factor in the cultivation and production of cocoa. This work has revealed that rainfall has a constraining ability on cocoa yield in the core cocoa production areas of Ondo state, Nigeria. It was also established that cocoa production is in its best in areas like: Idanre, Ondo, Akure, Ile-Oluji, Owo e.t.c, which have yields above 1000MT per annum and rainfall lesser than 51.30mm. Cocoa yield was also shown to be the inverse of annual rainfall level. This was evident as cocoa yield increased in the early and latter months of the year when the rains are yet to fully come, and suffered in the mid year at the heart of raining season. A model of rainfall as it affected cocoa yields was achieved in this work.

Organochlorine pesticide residues in dried cocoa beans obtained from cocoa stores at Ondo and Ile-Ife, Southwestern Nigeria

“…As it were, Ondo state in Southwestern Nigeria is the highest producer of cocoa in Nigeria. In 2007, it produced about 40% of the total cocoa production in the country [21] , [22] .…”

Organochlorine Pesticides Residues in Soil of Cocoa Farms in Ondo State Central District, Nigeria

“…Ondo State is the highest producer of Cocoa in Nigeria, with an estimated output of 45,004.5 Metric Tonnes in 2007, representing 40% of the total cocoa production in Nigeria (Aikpokpodion, 2010;Ajayi, Afolabi, Ogunbodede & Sunday, 2010). The State constitutes the most probable area with the highest agricultural use of pesticides in Nigeria, particularly in the extensive cocoa plantations found in the Central Senatorial District of the state.…”

Welfare transitions and its correlates among cocoa farming households in Nigeria

“…o Cocoa trees grow between 20 North and South of the equator, majority of production is o concentrated at low elevations below 300m or 1000feet and within 10 North and South of equator (Purseglove, 1968;Ajayi et al, 2010;www.icco.org). Cocoa trees yield well under relatively high oo temperatures, with maximum and minimum mean annual temperatures of 3032 C and 1821 C, respectively (Lawal and Emaku, 2007;Ajiboye et al, 2015).…”