Agriculture experts have advised local farmers to exercise caution in planting due to inconsistent rainfall patterns across the country.
In separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos, the experts urged farmers to rely on weather forecasts from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) before commencing cultivation this season.
Dr. Ismail Olawale, a strategic agriculture communication expert and fellow at the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), warned against careless planting.
“Farmers need to be very careful this year and closely monitor weather forecasts, particularly those from NiMet in collaboration with NAERLS,” Olawale said.
He noted that NAERLS has disseminated weather predictions through its zonal offices, following NiMet’s annual forecast.
“Even in the South-South, where early rains are expected, strong winds pose a significant risk. For instance, Edo State experienced heavy winds last week, making it unsafe for farmers to be on the field,” he added.
He advised farmers to secure their seeds and avoid premature planting.
“This is not the time for blind planting based on traditional methods, as climate change has altered weather patterns. Farmers must be strategic and follow weather updates consistently,” Olawale said.
Similarly, Mr. Uche Ikenga, a crop farmer and agriculture consultant, noted that the erratic rainfall had delayed the planting season, which could impact crop yields.
“We are closely monitoring water patterns, and due to the inconsistencies in rainfall, planting cannot commence as usual,” Ikenga said.
He explained that the delay would reduce the number of planting cycles for some crops, such as potatoes, which typically have four planting seasons annually but may only have three this year.
Ikenga emphasized the need for irrigation farming to mitigate the effects of unpredictable rainfall, calling on the government to support irrigation initiatives.
“If irrigation is encouraged, farmers can cultivate during the dry season and ensure year-round production,” he said.
