Changes in Climatic Characteristics and Crop Yield in Kwara State

Climate change has been seen to have a significant effect on crop yield because climate forms part of the physical environment in which agriculture thrives and changes in climatic elements are bound to affect crop yield. This study assessed the vagaries of climatic elements on crop yield in Kwara State with the view to predicting the future climatic suitability level of the crop in the state. Descriptive analytical method using tables and graphs was used to examine the pattern of climatic elements from 1985 ¿ 2014. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to examine the variations in crop yield for 2002 ¿ 2013 and also to determine whether or not significant differences exist between the harvests. Correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between climatic elements and crop yield while, multiple regression analysis was used to determine the percentage contribution of each climatic elements to crop yield.