Crop-Climate Introduction
The crop-climate section of the Decision Support Tool provides information on the temperature and precipitation (rainfall) of the Rufiji River Basin and how the climate is projected to change in the future. It also provides results on how climate change may impact rice and maize productivity. Different adaptation technologies are examined in a scenario approach to test their potential to reduce the negative effects of climate change on the crops. Because of the inherent uncertainty of future climate change and Global Climate Modelling, the results should be considered representative and should not be interpreted as certain. The actual outcomes may significantly vary from those presented.
Rice is grown in two seasons in the Basin—during the rainy season mostly as a rainfed crop, and during the cooler, dry season as an irrigated crop. Results on the impact of climate change are provided for both seasons. A comparison of an older and an improved variety is also provided for both seasons, and the effect of different fertilizer levels as an adaptation technology is provided for the rainy season crop.
Most maize is grown as a rainfed crop during the rainy season in the Basin. Results are provided looking at the impact of climate change on maize productivity, and then comparing the effectiveness of three major types of decisions: a comparison of two maize varieties, irrigation, and different fertilizer levels.
For the climate variables and for each crop’s technology, maps of the Basin illustrate:
- Current climate conditions
- Projected future climatic conditions of around 2050
- The change, or difference between current and future; for example the average changes in yield across the Basin
- A visual comparison between current and future conditions, with a slider
