Objective: The aim of this study is to determine the influence of rainfall and temperature on seasonal crop yields (maize, groundnuts, beans and cassava) in the commune of Begoua over the period 2010 to 2023.
Method: This was a cross-sectional, retrospective descriptive survey. In order to achieve this objective, the average temperatures and rainfall in the Commune of Begoua over the period 2010 to 2023 were taken at the meteorological station of the Agency for Safety of the Navigation Air navigation at Africa and Madagascar (ASECNA) Bangui-M’poko. Yields and other agronomic data (production and area) were obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) and by documentary review.
Results: Our analysis shows that several rainfall variations have been recorded, around the average water requirement of plants, at Commune level: one (1) deficit year of 1224 mm in 2011, (2) surplus years varying between 1644 mm in 2013 and 1692 mm in 2017 and an interannual average of 1522.29 mm between 2010 and 2023 and an increase in temperatures was recorded from 2020 to 2023. Analysis of the influence of rainfall and temperature on food crops shows that, on an annual scale, rainfall is falling in parallel with the number of rainy days, while temperatures are rising. This drop in rainfall has an impact on cereal and grain legume yields, but cassava yields have not changed much.
Conclusion: In view of these results, it would be very important to take stock of local farmers’ perceptions of climate change and their adaptation strategies to cope with these climatic impacts.