Identifying maize yield and precipitation gaps in Uganda

Abstract In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), precipitation is an important driver of agricultural production. Uganda, maize production essentially rain-fed. However, due to changes in climate, projected yield targets have not often been met as actual observed yields are below simulated/projected yields. This outcome has attributed parallel gaps precipitation. study aims at identifying and Uganda for the period 1998–2017. Time series historical data (hg/ha/year) 1998–2017 were collected from FAOSTAT. Actual growing season also climate portal World Bank Group The simulated or using a simple linear regression approach. now compared with establish gaps. results show that three key periods (period one: 1998, two: 2004–2007 three: 2015–2017) entire (1998–2017), years 2008–2009 had no yet, observed. implies only Uganda. fact, this supported by low correlation between about 6.3%. For better understanding cropping systems SSA, other potential drivers such soils, farm inputs, crop pests diseases, high yielding varieties, literacy, poverty levels should be considered.