This study is aimed at analysing the impact of climate variation on water footprint of Sugarcane using the sugarcane estate of the Dangote Sugar Company as a case study. Within this framework, the study’s specific objectives are the following. To determine the green and blue water footprint of sugarcane production. To assess the contribution of the individual climatic parameters to each of green and blue water footprint of sugarcane. To examine the relationship between climatic elements and overall water footprint pattern of Sugarcane.
There is an anticipation of a restructuring of the patterns of demand and supply of water for agriculture owing to possible effects of change in climate. Thus, the assessment of the influences of climatic variation on water consumption for agriculture is of import. Water footprint as an indicator provides a different methodology to the assessment of agricultural water consumption under variability of climate. This study offers an analysis of the impact of climate variability on the water footprint of sugarcane in Dangote Sugar Company, Numan during 1981-2013. Climate data was collected for a period of 33 years. Using the CROPWAT model, water footprint for sugarcane was calculated. The outcome was later correlated using the SPSS and SPSS AMOS 21 packages to find the relationship between water footprint of sugarcane and the climatic variation. Also the impact climatic variables had on water footprint of sugarcane was deduced. The results indicated that a) crop evapotranspiration and irrigation water requirements of sugarcane in the study area presented an uptrend and this is due to the variation in climatic factors; b) green water footprint (102 m3/ton) was lower than the blue water footprint (172 m3/ton) and; c) the climatic factors accountable for 17% of the variation in water footprint of sugarcane under the study period. From the results, it was observed that water footprint of sugarcane is influenced most by the rainfall element. However, there are other agricultural management factors that may also have an effect on it, even higher than that of climate. Attention however must be given for adaptation of effective strategies to reduce the agricultural production risk associatedwith climate change in the long run.
Table of Contents
1.1 BACKGROUND OF STUDY
1.2 STATEMENT OF PROBLEM
1.3 AIM AND OBJECTIVES
1.4 HYPOTHESIS
1.5 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
1.6 STUDY AREA
1.6.1 LOCATION AND EXTENT
1.6.2 CLIMATE
1.6.3 GEOLOGY AND TOPOGRAPHY
1.6.6 ECONOMIC ACTIVITIES AROUND THE SUGARCANE ESTATES
2.1 INTRODUCTION
2.2 CONCEPT OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND VARIABILITY
2.2.1 MECHANISMS OF CLIMATE CHANGE
2.2.2 MECHANISMS OF SEASONAL TO INTER-ANNUAL VARIABILITY
2.2.3 CLIMATE CHANGEAND WATER RESOURCES
2.2.4 CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND SUGARCANE CULTIVATION
2.3.1 WATER FOOTPRINT (WF) CALCULATION
2.3.2 GREEN, BLUE AND GREY WATER
2.3.3 CROP WATER FOOTPRINT
2.4 THE SUGARCANE CROP
2.4.1 MORPHOLOGY OF SUGARCANE
2.4.2 CLIMATE OF SUGARCANE
2.4.3 PLANTING OF SUGARCANE
2.4.4 WATER MANAGEMENT
2.4.5 PRODUCTS DERIVED FROM MAIN PRODUCT AND BY PRODUCT OF SUGARCANE
3.1 RESEARCH DESIGN
3.2.1 CROPWAT MODEL
4.1 INTRODUCTION
4.2 SUGARCANE YIELD AND HARVESTED HECTARES
4.5.1 CORRELATION ANALYSIS
4.5.2 PATH ANALYSIS
5.1 SUMMARY
5.2 CONCLUSION
5.3 RECOMMENDATIONS
Research Objectives and Thematic Focus
The primary aim of this research is to analyze the impact of climate variability on the water footprint of sugarcane, utilizing the estate of the Dangote Sugar Company in Numan, Adamawa State, as a case study. The study investigates how climatic factors influence water consumption in sugarcane production and seeks to provide empirical data on resource sustainability.
- Quantification of green and blue water footprints for sugarcane production.
- Assessment of individual climatic parameters' contributions to water footprint components.
- Examination of the relationship between climatic elements and overall water footprint patterns.
- Evaluation of agricultural management practices in the context of water resource efficiency.
- Development of baseline data for sub-national water footprint analysis in Nigeria.
Excerpt from the Book
1.1 Background of Study
The world has over the past decades experienced a continuous deterioration in climatic condition. Climate change, agriculture and water security is now a global subject of concern. This statements are true arising from the volume of literatures currently available about these concerns. However, a good number of the studies seem to give more attention to developed countries. Due to economic and technological wherewithal, they are better prepared to adapt to the changes. In developing countries, not much has been done even though the developing nations seem to feel the impacts more.
Climate change and global warming have further contributed in intensifying water challenges especially for the arid and semi-arid zones (Kim, 2012). This has led toa diminishing of fresh water supplies annually. Climate change most likely increases water scarcity by reason of modifications in the patterns and intensity of precipitation. Much of the world’s poorest populations live in the subtropics and mid-latitudes. These areas are projected to turn out significantly drier, resulting in intensified water scarcity. A new Massachusetts Institute of Technology study also shows that reduced precipitation in some arid regions could trigger exponentially larger drops in groundwater tables (Morrison et al., 2009).
Fresh water is a necessary requirement for all economic activities especially for agricultural purposes. Agriculture on the other hand has been identified as a major water using sector accounting for over 70% of global water withdrawals (FAO, 2011; Dourte & Fraisse, 2012; Zoumides et al. 2014). In confirmation, Adams and Peck (2008) mentioned that effects of climate change on water resources availability and quality will have an impact on several sectors of the economy including agriculture, energy production and ecosystems. The water need per unit of product depends on both climate and water-use efficiency.
Chapter Summaries
CHAPTER ONE: Provides the foundation for the study by discussing the global context of climate change, the importance of water security in agriculture, and the specific problem statement regarding sugarcane cultivation in Numan.
LITERATURE REVIEW: Reviews existing theories on climate variability, the water footprint methodology, and the physiological and environmental requirements for optimal sugarcane growth.
CHAPTER THREE: Outlines the methodological framework, including the use of the CROPWAT 8.0 model for estimating water requirements and statistical packages like SPSS and AMOS for analyzing climate impact.
CHAPTER FOUR: Presents the research findings, analyzing the trends in sugarcane yield and the correlation between climatic variables (rainfall, temperature, etc.) and water footprint metrics.
SUMMARY, CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: Synthesizes the research findings, concludes that climate change is a contributing but not exclusive factor in water footprint variation, and offers policy recommendations for improved water management.
Keywords
Climate Variability, Water Footprint, Sugarcane, Dangote Sugar Company, CROPWAT Model, Nigeria, Irrigation, Blue Water, Green Water, Evapotranspiration, Crop Yield, Resource Sustainability, Rainfall, Path Analysis, Climatology.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research thesis?
The research primarily investigates the influence of climate variability on the water footprint of sugarcane production at the Dangote Sugar Company in Numan, Adamawa State, Nigeria.
What are the central themes addressed in the work?
The central themes include the intersection of climate change and agriculture, the application of the water footprint indicator, the mechanics of sugarcane irrigation, and statistical analysis of climatic trends.
What is the primary objective of this study?
The study aims to determine the green and blue water footprints of sugarcane, assess how specific climatic parameters contribute to these, and examine the relationship between climatic elements and overall water consumption patterns.
Which scientific methods were employed?
The research used the CROPWAT 8.0 model to calculate crop water requirements and utilized IBM SPSS Statistics 22 and SPSS AMOS 21 for correlation and path analysis to evaluate climatic impacts.
What does the main body of the work cover?
The main body covers a comprehensive literature review, detailed methodology for data analysis, an empirical study of the Numan study area, and a discussion of results regarding water footprint variations from 1981 to 2013.
Which keywords best describe the thesis?
Key terms include Climate Variability, Water Footprint, Sugarcane, Irrigation, CROPWAT, Nigeria, Rainfall, and Crop Yield.
How does the blue water footprint compare to global averages in the study area?
The study found that the blue water footprint at the Dangote Sugar Company is significantly higher than the global average, highlighting potential issues with water use efficiency.
What role does rainfall play according to the research results?
Rainfall was identified as the most significant climatic factor impacting the water footprint of sugarcane in the study area, although agricultural management factors were found to be more dominant overall.
- Quote paper
- Jenny Nonyelum Obi (Author), 2016, Impact of climate variability on water footprint of sugarcane. A case study of the Dangote Sugar Company Numan, Adamawa State, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/921455
