ANALYSIS OF RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE PATTERNS ON CROP PRODUCTION IN NASARAWA STATE, NIGERIA

This study assessed rainfall and temperature pattern in Nasarawa State. The objective of the study was to determine the rainfall and temperature pattern suitable for agriculmral production in Nasarawa State and also assess the rainfall and temperature trend in the study area. Data were collected for a period of 15years from the National Meteorological Agency (NIMET). The data were analyzed using the Pearson correlations and linear regression analysis. The results of the study showed an increase in maximum and minimum temperature at 0.168°C and 0.413°C respectively, coupled with unreliable rainfall of0.079 over the investigated period (2001

• 2015), while the standardized coefficient Beta was 0.075. Maximum temperature had a weak (0.168) positively significant relationship for the investigated period under study, minimum temperature had a weak (0.413) positive significant relationship which is more advisable and rainfall had the weakest (0.079) positive significant relationship and it cannot be held responsible for higher crop yield, except joined with other factors like soil fertility, soil moisture, soil PH and so on for the 15 years period. Tt was recommended that crops like eguisy should be planted in the month of February due to enough heat absorption so it could rapidly grow when the first or early months of rains start, and that Agricultural Extension Officers should be deployed to guide farmers through routine visits, sensitization programs on variability in rainfall and temperature characteristics, use of farm inputs and monitoring of crop-climate relationships in the area in order to achieve improved crop yield.