Agricultural experts are urging farmers in Northern Nigeria to adapt their planting strategies following a forecast by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) predicting delayed rainfall in eight northern states.
According to NIMET’s 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), Plateau, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Nasarawa, Taraba, Adamawa, and Kwara will experience a late onset of rains, potentially affecting the planting season.
Professor Abba Garba Gaya of Aliko Dangote University’s Faculty of Agriculture emphasized that farmers should adjust by opting for early-maturing crops, which can be harvested within 50 days, rather than those requiring over three months.
“Since the rains are not expected to arrive early, farmers should consider planting early-maturing crops. Crops that take three months or more to mature might face challenges,” Gaya advised.
He also urged farmers to seek expert guidance and adopt sustainable practices such as avoiding deforestation to mitigate environmental degradation.
Farmers in Kano expressed mixed reactions to the prediction. Ibrahim Baba, a rice farmer in Kura LGA, acknowledged the uncertainty but remained hopeful:
“I hope we get enough rain—it is in God’s hands. But I have taken the advice to plant early-maturing varieties to avoid confusion.”
Kano, a key agricultural hub, heavily relies on rain-fed farming, making NIMET’s forecast crucial for planning. Experts stress the importance of climate-smart agriculture to ensure food security despite changing weather patterns.
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