Multi-scales and multi-sites analyses of the role of rainfall in cotton yields in West Africa

Sultan, B.; Bella-Medjo, M.; Berg, A.; Quirion, P.; Janicot, S.

Cotton is the main tradable crop of West and Central African countries, representing for some countries the main exported agricultural product. Cotton is then of major concern since it represents an important source of income, accounting for more than a tenth of total exports. Moreover, the subsector as a whole is essential for rural poverty reduction. Since cotton is a rainfed crop in these countries, its yield is closely related to climate, in particular to rainfall variability.