Agro-climatic zoning of subsistence crops in Tete Province, Mozambique

Abstract

The impact of climate change is increasingly evident in our daily lives, posing a threat to various activities, especially agriculture, which is crucial for the livelihood of nearly eighty percent of Mozambique's population. Climate change has proven to be a significant obstacle to overcome to ensure agricultural sustainability. This study aims to analyze the agro-climatic suitability of the main subsistence crops in Tete Province. To characterize the environment, we used precipitation and monthly average temperature data for the region obtained through WorldClim, which were spatialized using the multiple linear regression method (for temperature) and the TIN method (for precipitation). To assess crop suitability, we analyzed thermal and water suitability, considering the water deficit. The results revealed that maize, Nhemba beans, and sorghum can be cultivated in much of the province, except in areas with very low temperatures. It is recommended to conduct more research during different growing seasons to better understand suitability in relation to temperature and precipitation variables.