Spatial and temporal rainfall variability in the Sahel and its effects on farmers' management strategies

The variability in rainfall in semi-arid Niger is great both spatially and temporally and is considered to be one of the most limiting factors in agriculture. To investigate these constraints more quantitatively, climate data at both survey and detailed scale were analysed. The results show that rainfall can vary considerably even within a few kilometres distance and on different time scales which means that crop yields are very unpredictable. Socio-economic surveys at two villages showed that smallholders have adapted a range of management strategies to ensure at least a minimum yield. Despite this, soil fertility is declining and further technologies need to be integrated into farming systems to make them sustainable. (C) 2001 Academic Press.