Effect Of Weather On Clove Production In Pemba Island, Tanzania.

Abstract

This study assesses the effect of weather parameters on clove production in Pemba Island, Tanzania. The meteorological data in this study were obtained from Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) and the clove yield data were obtained from Zanzibar State Trade Corporation (ZSTC) both for the period from 1992 to 2011. The estimating of missing data on weather parameters were performed using the arithmetic mean ratio, the single mass curve was used to test for homogeneity and it was observed that all data were homogeneous with time. The monthly variation of the weather parameters were performed as mean pattern and discussed. Correlation analysis on a lag arrangement was performed between the clove yield and weather parameters and the results were discussed. Finally the regression analysis was used for developing regression equation in order to predict the clove yield using the weather parameters and the resulting yield from the equation (model) were discussed.