Sowing date determinants for Sahelian rainfed agriculture in the context of agricultural policies and water management

Abstract

Inappropriate sowing date constitutes a major reason for crop failure and low yields in the African Sahel region. Deriving from experience in Sudan, this study endeavors to: (1) identify the drivers of farmers’ choice of sowing date for rainfed agriculture, (2) suggest a best-suited guide for farmers in their decision making concerning sowing dates and (3) recommend integrated coping strategies that consider technical and socioeconomic dimensions and regional scales. In this study, sorghum is considered as a strategic crop for food security in the country. The result of data processing based on two climatic methods over the period 1971–2010 has determined the onset of rainfall between the last week of June and the first week of July. An early but safe sowing date in terms of less subsequent dry spells is 08 July. Accordingly, the probability for the establishment of the rainy season is high and the probability of occurrence of following dry spells is lowest. However, this date appears to be earlier than the sowing date commonly practiced by farmers which is usually in the end of July, but sometimes even in the beginning of August. The field survey analysis highlights several non-climatic factors that have significant influence on sorghum cultivation in general and sowing date definition specifically. These include limited agricultural extension service, weeds, basic machinery and low input of fertilizers, herbicides and pesticides. Weed presence and slow and long soil preparation procedures often cause farmers to delay sowing operations, consequently leading to yield reduction. Current coping strategies can serve as a base to advance long-term agricultural policies that guarantee sufficient institutional support and create an enabling environment for knowledge transfer and technical solutions. The results of this research constitute part of an integrated long-term adaptation strategy that has to be developed to improve agricultural activities under climate risk.