AUTHOR=Srivastava Amit Kumar , Ewert Frank , Akinwumiju Akinola Shola , Zeng Wenzhi , Ceglar Andrej , Ezui Kodjovi Senam , Adelodun Adedeji , Adebayo Abass , Sobamowo Jumoke , Singh Manmeet , Rahimi Jaber , Gaiser Thomas 

TITLE=Cassava yield gap—A model-based assessment in Nigeria

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

VOLUME=Volume 6 - 2022

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sustainable-food-systems/articles/10.3389/fsufs.2022.1058775

DOI=10.3389/fsufs.2022.1058775

ISSN=2571-581X

ABSTRACT=Cassava production is essential for food security in sub-Saharan Africa and serves as a major calorie-intake source in Nigeria. Here, we used a crop model, LINTUL5, calibrated for five different cassava varieties based on field experiments embedded into a modeling framework SIMPLACE to estimate potential, water- and nutrient (current) limited cassava yield gaps (YG) as affected by climate factors and contributing a better understanding of yield gaps and its potentials in 30 states of Nigeria. Our study shows that cumulative radiation and precipitation were the most significant factors associated with cassava yield variability (p < 0.01). The YG averaged across states was estimated as 18.2 Ton∙ha-1, with a maximum of 31.2 Ton∙ha-1 in Kano state. Across the states, nutrient limitation accounts for 55.3% of the total cassava yield gap, while the remaining 44.7% is attributed to water limitation. The highest untapped water-limited yields were estimated in the northern states, such as Bauchi, Gombe, and Sokoto, characterized by the short rainy season. Our results showed that most northern states are better equipped to become leading cassava producers in Nigeria under adequate crop management practices involving irrigation and soil fertility enhancement. We reached this conclusion because the northern states usually receive the highest radiation from their characteristic reduced cloud cover, even at the peak of the rainy season. Therefore, policy and management interventions can be prioritized in these areas. Conclusively, the current cassava yield levels can be increased by a factor of five by emphasizing nutrient and soil health management and irrigation, particularly in areas characterized by a shorter rainy season (Sudan Savanna) in Nigeria.