Accelerating food sustainability via the application of evapotranspiration in the semi-arid region and its environment of Nigeria

Abstract Evapotranspiration is critical in achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2 of ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition, and promoting sustainable agriculture. In the semi-arid region of Nigeria, optimizing evapotranspiration (ET) can accelerate food sustainability. The Sustainable Development Goal (SGD) number 2 goal is a clarion call for its member nations to end hunger by the year 2030 in all its facets. To ensure everyone has access to safe, nutritious and sufficient food, everyone will have access to rich and adequate nutrition that contributes to healthy living. The definition of food security has evolved and changed over the past 50 years, including the four commonly cited pillars of food security: availability, access, utilization and stability. The work showed the results of three stations in the semi-arid region of Northern Nigeria. In Azare, the four models, Baier–Robertson (B-R), Jensen Haise (J-H), Caprio (Cap) and the index of agreement (di_mod) models, estimated its average monthly sessional error ETos. Using the MAPE B-R model, B-R recorded 30.53%, B-C recorded 70.84%, J-H and cap stood at 46.72%, 25.40% in August and February apiece, and September and December, respectively. The Blaney Criddle (B-C), Jensen–Haise (J-H) and Caprio (Cap) all had a standard sessional ETo in the city of Azare. In Potiskum and Gusau, it is between June and May. The study recommended that water-resistant crops be used in Nigeria's semi-arid regions to ensure food security and sustenance. Evapotranspiration should be considered when selecting appropriate crops and farming practices in this region. Focusing on sustainable water management and conservation techniques is crucial for maintaining food production in the face of increasing aridity and water scarcity.