ABSTRACT
The Upper East Region, located in the savannah grassland belt, is bordered to the north by Burkina Faso and to the east br Togo. Population density in the Frafra area is high at 204 persons per km (IFAD, 1990, p22). Vegetative growth is mainly of grasses and shrubs, with some scattered trees. The region experiences distinct rainy and dry seasons, with the rains beginning in May and ending in September. Average rainfall is 800-900mm, but is unevenly distributed and extremely erratic in onset, duration and intensity. A lull in rains during the mid-season is not uncommon. The area is affected by dry and dustladen Harmattan winds during the dry season.
