Crop yield predictions and monitoring are important in understanding key challenges in crop production and management to ensure the effective utilization of resources to enhance food security. Over the years remote sensing data and machine learning models have been employed with the help of ground truth data as reference in the estimation of crop yields across space and time. However, the common machine learning methods often overlook the spatial heterogeneity inherent in regions leading to ...

This thesis aims to increase our understanding of the current constraints to sustainable cocoa intensification in Cameroon and the extent to which service delivery in the sector is adequate. To this end, four levels of analysis are considered: farmers' perceptions of cocoa farming practices and ability to innovate; the socio-economic, socio-demographic, and farm factors that influence the intensity of adoption of cocoa best management practices (BMPs), cocoa yield, and net returns; the availability ...

A field experiment was conducted in 2018 rainy season at the International Institute of Agriculture Research Farms at Abuja and Zaria to know the adaptability of cowpea genotype to maize canopy in northern and southern Guinea savannah of Nigeria. The experiment consisted of 12 treatment combinations; of three cowpea varieties (SAMPEA 11, SAMPEA 14, and UAM09-126-19-2) in two cropping systems (sole and intercropped with EVDT99) and at two relay dates (5 and 8 WAS). The treatments were laid out in ...

Matooke and Mchare are two distinct subgroups of East African bananas (EABs) (Musa spp.) that are endemic to the Great Lakes region of East Africa. In this region, they are pivotal in for food and income security of more than 70 million people. However, productivity of these EABs is significantly constrained by pests and diseases that reduce the yield and directly affecting the livelihoods of banana farming communities in the region. While cultural methods of disease and pest control are widely ...

Cassava is an important staple crop in Africa for almost half of the population. The main biotic constraint of the crop is Cassava Mosaic Disease (CMD) which causes significant losses on farmers’ field. The conventional screening for CMD resistance in new cassava populations is time-consuming, expensive and not highly reliable. However, there are newly developed Single Nucleotide Polymorphism (SNP) markers linked to CMD resistance which have not been validated. Therefore, the objective of this ...

Too little nitrogen (N) is a threat to cropping systems and soil fertility in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Nitrogen budgets (NB) and nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) are critical tools for assessing N dynamics in agriculture and have received little or no attention in the region. The study aimed to assess key N performance indicators at field and farm level based on N use scenarios and help to inform policy on formulating relevant decision and practices to enhance N management for improved crop productivity ...

Forecasts of seasonal rainfall are important for the agricultural sector, particularly in nations where rain-fed agriculture is predominant. A robust agricultural system is made possible by the ability to predict seasonal rainfall with accuracy and precision. Due to the limited and sparse availability of gauge data, both satellite-based and model seasonal rainfall forecasts are beneficial for predicting seasonal rainfall. While seasonal rainfall forecasts based on models and satellites complement ...

Over the years, climatic variations have persistently induced technological interventions in developing countries and were strategic in varietal development and modification of agronomical practices in developing countries. In addition, there are overwhelming records of impact on productivity and welfare of rural farm households. Despite these efforts, low adoption continues to be a huge problem and a clog to meeting sustainable agricultural development goals. This research contributes to the large ...

Cassava has potential for many industrial uses, which provide an opportunity for more rewarding markets. Therefore, significant research on improved varieties, targeting industrial applications, is required as a possible approach to spur improvements in the value chain. In addition, the promotion of cassava for production, targeting industrial applications, requires information on yield and stability performance of cassava genotypes and varieties in a diverse range of environments. To this end, ...

Cassava breeders have made significant progress in developing new genotypes with improved agronomic characteristics such as improved root yield. However, these new and improved cassava genotypes in cultivation in Nigeria have undergone little or no improvement in their culinary qualities; hence, there is a paucity of information on the texture of boiled cassava roots, particularly with regard to its mealiness. The objectives of this study were to: (i) elicit farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and ...