KEBBI STATE FARMERS’ WEATHER GUIDE 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction

This information is sourced from the 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction produced by the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet) Analysis by: HEDA Resource Centre

🌧 KEBBI STATE FARMERS’ GUIDE 2025

This guide explains exactly what this year’s weather means for your crops, fish ponds and livestock.

 

RAIN SCHEDULE FOR YOUR FARM

Northern Kebbi (Arewa-Dandi, Argungu, Augie areas):

The rains will likely start between July 1-11. Don’t plant when you see the first light rain. Wait until there have been at least 3 days of steady, good rain. The rains will stop around October 14-19, giving you only 75-89 days (about 2.5 months) of growing time. You’ll receive 500-613mm of rain – the lowest in Kebbi State.

 

What this means for you:

• Your growing season is extremely short. You must plant your crops within 2 days after the proper rains start. Any delay means your crops may not mature before the dry season.

 

• Only plant crops that grow very fast – traditional 90-day millet and short-season sorghum varieties are safest.

 

• Immediately after planting, cover the soil between your crops with dry grass or leaves. This blanket keeps the soil moist during dry periods.

 

Central Kebbi (Birnin Kebbi, Kalgo, Bunza areas):

Expect rains to start June 23-29 and end October 19-20. You’ll have 93-97 days (about 3 months) of growing time with 603-605mm of rain.

 

What this means for you:

• You can plant both early millet (June 25-30) and quick-growing cowpea (early July).

 

• There will likely be 10-15 dry days around August 1-15 when no rain falls. Keep dry grass ready to spread around your crops during this period.

 

• Weed your fields at least twice – weeds steal water and nutrients your crops need.

 

Southern Kebbi (Bagudo, Danko, Sakaba areas):

Your rains will start earliest (June 10-13) and last longest (until October 25-27). You’ll get 116-127 growing days and 627-650mm of rain – the most in Kebbi State.

 

What this means for you:

• You have time to grow maize and other crops that take longer to mature.

 

• The extra rain can sometimes cause flooding. Plant your crops on small mounds or ridges to keep roots from drowning in too much water.

 

• Collect extra rainwater in pits, ponds or containers for use during dry periods.

 

BEST CROPS TO PLANT

For All Areas of Kebbi:

🌾 Millet:

Best planting time:

North: July 5-10

Central/South: June 15-25

 

Key steps for success:

 

• Soak seeds in clean water overnight before planting – this helps them sprout faster

 

• Space plants 70cm apart (about 2.5 big steps) to give them room to grow

 

• When the hot dry period comes in July/August, add more dry grass between rows

 

🌾 Sorghum:

Plant at the same time as millet

Choose short-stemmed varieties that handle dry weather better

 

Only for Southern Kebbi:

🌽 Maize:

• Must be planted by June 25 at the latest.
• Check under leaves every 5 days. If you see green worms eating the leaves: Collect 1kg of wood ash, Mix with 10 liters of water, Spray on plants early in the morning.
• If heavy winds come, maize stalks may fall. Plant in blocks (not single rows) to help plants support each other

 

🥜 Cowpea:

 

• Plant in July 10-20, after your other crops are growing

 

• Pick pods every 3 days – this makes the plants produce more

 

• Dry beans completely in the sun on raised mats before storing to prevent mold

 

CARING FOR YOUR ANIMALS

🐄 Cattle Owners:

• Grass in northern Kebbi will dry up by October 10
• Start moving your herds south by September 1
• Now is the time to collect and store:

Sorghum stalks, Rice straw, Groundnut vines, Maize husks

 

🐐 Goat and Sheep Owners:

During the hottest months (March-May):

• Provide shade using mats or tree branches
• Give clean water 3 times daily (morning, noon, evening)
• Add 1 handful of salt to their feed each week to keep them healthy

 

🐓 Poultry Farmers:

From March-May:

• Paint coops with white local clay to reflect heat
• Add extra water containers – change water twice daily
• Reduce number of birds in each cage by one-third to prevent overcrowding

 

DANGEROUS PERIODS TO WATCH FOR

August 1-15 (Major Dry Spell):

Likely 10-15 days with little or no rain

 

Most at risk: Young millet plants (2-4 weeks old)

 

Prepare now:

• Gather dry grass and leaves
• Dig small water pits near your fields
• Assign family members to water young plants at dawn if possible

 

October (Harvest Time in Northern Areas):

Northern farmers must harvest by October 15

Look for these signs that crops are ready:

• Millet: Grains are hard like small pebbles
• Sorghum: Heads are drooping downward
• Cowpea: Pods are dry and cracking open

 

MONTHLY FARMING CALENDAR

May (Preparation Month):

• Clear fields completely – remove all weeds
• Repair all farming tools – hoes, cutlasses, baskets
• Visit your LGA agriculture office for drought-resistant seeds

 

June (Planting Month):

• Plant immediately when the proper rains come
• Mark fields where you had pest problems last year

 

July (Weeding and Protection Month):

• Weed all fields thoroughly
• Prepare dry spell defenses (mulching, water storage)

 

August (Preparation Month):

• Start storing crop residues for animal feed
• Prepare sites for dry season vegetable gardens

 

September (Harvest Month):

• Begin harvesting early crops
• Vaccinate your animals against common diseases

 

SECTION 5: WHERE TO GET HELP

NiMet Kebbi Office:

📞 Mr. Garba Muh’d Ribah

☎️ 08061263508

📧 m.ribah@nimet.gov.ng

🌍 To download the SCP 2025, visit NiMeT website: https://www.nimet.gov.ng/scp

 

Remember:

• Share this information with fellow farmers
• Call for help if you notice unusual weather
• Attend local agriculture extension meetings
• Ask Questions: If you don’t understand something, call the NiMet number.
• For farmers in riverine areas, prepare for possible floods
• All farmers – watch for the August break

 

Social Media

X: @nimetnigeria

LinkedIn, Facebook, Youtube: @Nigerian Meteorological Agency

Instagram: officialnimetng

 

Summary of Predicted Onset Date, Cessation Date, Length of Season and Annual Rainfall Amounts for States and Local Government Areas for Kebbi state

 

LGA	Start Date	End Date	Rainy Days	Annual Rainfall (mm)
Aleiro	1-Jul	19-Oct	89	603
Arewa-Dandi	7 – Jul	16 – Oct	81	605
Argungu	7 – Jul	16 – Oct	81	605
Augie	11 – Jul	14 – Oct	75	613
Bagudo	10 – Jun	26 – Oct	117	636
Birnin Kebbi	4 – Jul	18 – Oct	86	603
Bunza	29 – Jun	20 – Oct	93	605
Dandi	17 – Jun	22 – Oct	107	613
Danko Wasagu	12 – Jun	25 – Oct	115	630
Fakai	12 – Jun	25 – Oct	115	628
Gwandu	4 – Jul	17 – Oct	85	603
Jega	29 – Jun	20 – Oct	93	605
Kalgo	23 – Jun	19 – Oct	97	603
Koko/Besse	11 – Jun	25 – Oct	116	633
Maiyama	19 – Jun	24 – Oct	104	624
Ngaski	30 – May	1 – Nov	134	706
Sakaba	8 – Jun	27 – Oct	122	650
Shanga	9 – Jun	27 – Oct	120	645
Suru	15 – Jun	23 – Oct	110	617
Yauri	5 – Jun	29 – Oct	127	669
Zuru	13 – Jun	25 – Oct	114	627