Abstract

Oil palm is a very important crop
because of many products that are generated from it, which can boost the
economy of Nigeria and create job opportunities for teeming Nigerian youths.
The crop is being cultivated, although not maximum capacity, in many areas of
the country. The major factors considered in oil palm cultivation are soil type
and climate especially temperature and rainfall. This study assessed the crop
water requirements for yield optimization of oil palm in Southwest Nigeria. The
study showed that the greater percentage of the Southwest Nigeria is suitable
for the crop’s cultivation. However, the crop water requirements of oil palm
increase northwards from the humid forest zone to the Sahel savannah zone of
the study area. Moisture is available for oil palm’s utilization in the
savannah region but not in abundant quantity as in the southern humid forest
zone. Irrigation requirements increase from humid forest agro ecological zone
to the Sahel savannah zone. The study therefore suggests that yield
optimization could be achieved through complementing the rainfall with
irrigation water.