Title

Climate Change Impacts On Rainfed Corn Production In Malawi'S Lilongwe District

Abstract

Agriculture is the mainstay of the economy in Malawi and accounts for 40% of gross domestic product (GDP) and 90% of export revenues. Corn is the major cereal crop grown as a staple food under rainfed conditions, covers more than 92% of the total agricultural area, and contributes 54% of caloric intake. Corn production is the principle occupation and major source of income for more than 80% of the total population in Malawi. Issues of hunger and food insecurity for the entire nation are associated with scarcity and low corn production. This study evaluates the impacts of climate change in mid-century on rainfed corn production in the Lilongwe District of Malawi. First, outputs of 15 GCMs under different emission scenarios are statistically downscaled. Probability assessment of bounded ranges with known distributions is used to account for the uncertainties of GCMs. AquaCrop is employed to assess potential rainfed corn production with and without climate change. Results show that by mid-century corn production in the Lilongwe District can decrease by as much as 14% due to temperature increase and precipitation decrease by up to 2.20°C and 26%, respectively.

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Publication Title

World Environmental and Water Resources Congress 2014: Water Without Borders - Proceedings of the 2014 World Environmental and Water Resources Congress

Number of Pages

1580-1587

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Personal Identifier

scopus

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.1061/9780784413548.156

Socpus ID

84920282266 (Scopus)

Source API URL

https://api.elsevier.com/content/abstract/scopus_id/84920282266

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