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Principle 2: Does climate matter?
Seasonal rainfall plays a big role in determining where
Simon decides to distribute maize and sorghum seed, two of the more important
seeds his company distributes. Where the rainy season is long and moisture
is ample, high yielding, late maturing maize does well. In fact yields
can be twice that of sorghum under good conditions. But where rainfall
is lower and less reliable, sorghum is preferred since it can survive
drought when maize would fail completely. Farmers everywhere distribute
their yield risk by planting come of each, with proportions determined
by the average rainfall for their location (see map
of average rainfall in the March to May period).
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