Rainfall Criteria to enable Response Farming through Crop-based Climate Analysis

Abstract

The correlation between effective rainfall during the growing season, onset of rains and early season rainfall is considered and recommendations are given for cultivation of maize, beans [Phaseolus vulgaris] and intercropped maize + beans or alternative more drought-resistant crops according to predicted rainfall. Correlations are confirmed with reference to data from 10 sites in Machakos, Kitui and Kajiado districts for up to 55 years.