Abstract:
The paper explores the climate eff ect of rice produce in Ekiti State Nigeria. Climate data was
obtained from the archive of the Nigerian Meteorological Station, Oshodi, Nigeria. The Rice data
was obtained from Ekiti State Agricultural Development Project (A.D.P) The climatic parameters
are rainfall amount, rainfall frequency, maximum and minimum temperature while rice yield data
include land devoted to rice cultivation, rice production and yield. The data covered the period of
5yrs between 2007 and 2011. The climate data were grouped based on the rice cropping calendar
of the study area into the pre-planting (Feb), the planting season (March-mid April), the period
of growth (mid April- July) and the period of harvest. The data were summarized using statistical
tool of mean, Correlation and regression were used to fi nd the strength of relationship while the
most critical climatic variable(s) for rice was identifi ed using factor analysis. The result showed
that increase in land devoted to rice did not bring corresponding increase in rice yield. Increase
in rainfall amount and frequency during the period shortly before planting and during planting
seems to be very important for rice yield. Minimum temperature correlates highly with yield during
the period of planting. Mild positive relationship exists between yield and temperatures (maximum
and minimum). Temperature is most critical during harvest as both maximum and minimum
temperature exhibited a high positive relationship of 0.82 and 0.66 respectively.
