Abstract:
This study assessed variability of rainfall in coastal and upland areas of Akwa Ibom State, as a
guide for cultivation of maize, tomato, yam, cassava, oil palm and cocoa in the areas. The study
was done in four different locations – coastal areas (Eket and Oron) and upland areas (Uyo and
Ikot Ekpene). Daily rainfall data were obtained from Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet),
Abuja, for a period of 30 years (1989 – 2018). The amount of annual rainfall was determined
using descriptive statistics; percentage of rainfall distribution was determined using precipitation
concentration index equation; and onset, cessation and length of growing season were
determined using Instat+ 3.36 software. The annual rainfall shows high variability between
coastal and upland areas. Coastal areas experienced high amount of rainfall with average annual
rainfall of 3282.50 mm (Eket) and 3094.87 mm (Oron); while the average rainfall for upland
areas were 2272.24 mm (Uyo) and 2007.49 mm (Ikot Ekpene). All the areas experienced
moderate precipitation distribution with coastal areas – Eket (11.31%) and Oron (11.67%);
upland areas – Uyo (12.67%) and Ikot Ekpene (13.70%). Coastal areas (Eket and Oron) recorded
early onset, late cessation and long length of growing season than upland areas (Uyo and Ikot
Ekpene). The mean onset for Eket and Oron were 19th and 21st February; cessation 4th and 1st
December and length of growing season 289.0 and 283.5 days respectively. The mean onset for
Uyo and Ikot Ekpene were 8th and 17th March; cessation 16th November and 12nd November
and length of growing season 265.2 and 255.3 days respectively. The study shows that only
upland areas can support sustainable production of yam and cassava, while both upland and
coastal areas can support sustainable production of oil palm and cocoa. Also, sustainable
production of tomato and maize production may not be achieved in both areas |
