An assessment of temperature and rainfall variations with tea yields at Nakigalala Tea Estate in Wakiso district.

Abstract

Climate variability may change the frequency and intensity of weather events which will likely challenge human and natural systems than the normal weather change. Agriculture is considered one of the most vulnerable systems than other system to climate variability in Uganda. Tea is an important sector of the economy and there is a particular concern over its high sensitivity to climate variability and change. However, limited studies have analysed the variations in climate with tea yields in Uganda. This study therefore, aimed at assessing temperature and rainfall variations with tea yields in one of the major tea growing districts in Uganda (Wakiso District) at Nakigalala Tea Estate. The study adopted a correlational research design, which examined the trend in tea yields between 2012-2021; determined the variation in tea yields with mean temperature; and assessed the relationship between annual tea yields and rainfall at Nakigalala tea estate. It was found that the average tea yield for the period 2012-2013 was 1,461,161 kg per year. The highest yield was harvested in 2018 with 2,125,721 kg followed by 1,735,990 kg 2019 and 2020. Contrastingly the lowest tea yield was observed in 2016 with 1,000,715 kg. The highest mean annual temperature was recorded as 24.350C and lowest mean temperature was 23.30C. Coefficient of variation of mean temperature was low (1.5%) implying that there was no much variation of temperatures from the mean temperatures at Nakigalala Tea Estate. Annual rainfall significantly varied (13.4% CV) in the study area from 2012-2021 whose average was 1522.9 mm, the highest annual rainfall was 1819.3 mm in 2019 and lowest mean annual rainfall was at 1265.6 mm in 2016. Rainfall variability had a significant positive influence on tea yields, though excess rainfall of more than 1766 mm and a decline in rainfall resulted into a decrease in tea yields. The study recommends that research organization like National Agricultural Advisory Services (NAADs) should research on better breeds of tea bushes with lower sensitivity to rainfall variability. In addition, tea farmers should adopt adaptation strategies such as installation of drip irrigation to provide water to the seedlings during periods of reduced rainfall.