Abstract
This study presents an analysis of agricultural production and its relationship with drought in Ceará in the agricultural production of maize (Zea mays L.), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp.) and cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) for the period of 1987-2016. The variables production yield and planted area of these crops were analyzed. Statistics, such as means, standard deviations and coefficients of variation of these crops. Emphasis was given to the concomitant period of droughts between 2011-2016. Data were collected from daily precipitation (accumulated 24 hours) in 220 pluviometers in the state of Ceará, the rainfall variability, expressed by the calculation of drought periods (less than or equal to 2 mm day-1 between February 1 and May 31) associated with these dry years and the yield and yield characteristics of rainfed crops. In the period analyzed in the present study (1987-2016) there was a direct influence of the rainfall anomalies, on the productivity of the studied crops, by the incidence of summer, with highlight for the years 2011 to 2016.
Keywords:
Climate; Crops; rainfed agriculture
