Photo Credit: Esther Stirling/hcrlaw.com
The Nigeria Meteorological Agency, NIMET, has urged farmers to begin farming activities this year around February 28 because rainfall is expected to begin between April and May in the Central States and June to July in the Northern States.
In accordance with their cropping schedules, the Agency anticipates that the length of the rainy season will be sufficient.
Minister of Aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, said the ‘growing’ season is projected to run between 250 and 300 days in southern areas of the country, while it is expected to last between 100 and 200 days in the north.
States like Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Benue, Bayelsa and Rivers are projected to have a shorter growing season than normal, while the plateau, Edo and Imo States are expected to have a longer growing season, he said.
Hadi Sirika predicts a regular amount of rainfall for the country as a whole.
Rainfall presiction
Rainfall will range from 390 millimetres in the north to over 2000 mm in the south, with 390 millimetres to 790 millimetres forecast in Bornu, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina, and Sokoto states.
Between May and August, mild dry spells lasting up to 15 days are expected in areas of Adamawa, Benue, Kogi, Ekiti, Kwara, Niger, FCT, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi, and Gombe States, according to Sirika.
Climate projections, according to the Minister, will assist sectors in planning, preparing for, and mitigating losses caused by weather change.
Professor Mansur Matazu, Director-General of NiMet, stated that seasonal climate prediction is crucial for all sectors, but especially agriculture, as the Federal Government aims to employ the sector to lift one hundred million Nigerians out of poverty.
Reporting by Adaku Ene; Editing by Abdullahi Laminu and Saadatu Albashir