In this study, we assessed the predictors for occurrence of drought in inland valley rice-based production systems and enabling factors for small scale farmers to mitigate its effects in three West African countries located in the Sudan-Sahel zone viz. Nigeria, Burkina Faso and Mali. We used both biophysical and socio-economic data, farmers’ community surveys and secondary data from remote sensing on soil characteristics and water demand. We then applied regression models to assess the predictors of drought and the factors affecting farmers’ adaptation strategies.