LAGOS STATE FARMERS’ WEATHER GUIDE

by Akinmayowa Shobo | Aug 26, 2025 | Climate Justice, ejsd-Blog

🌧 LAGOS 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 AREA

Mainland Areas (Agege, Alimosho, Ifako-Ijaiye):

The rains will likely start between April 2-5 with the first heavy downpour. Don’t plant immediately – wait for 3 consecutive days of steady rain to ensure proper soil moisture. The rains will continue until December 2-5, giving you 240-245 days (about 8 months) of growing time. Expect 1900-2000mm of rain – heavy but spread across two peaks (April-July and September-November).

What this means for your farm:

• You have one of Nigeria’s longest growing seasons – enough for 3-4 vegetable cycles

• The heavy rains can flood low-lying farms within hours

• High humidity (over 80%) will cause rapid disease spread

• Urban heat makes crops mature faster than rural areas

Coastal Areas (Badagry, Epe, Ibeju-Lekki):

Expect rains to start earliest (March 30-April 3) and end latest (December 4-7). You’ll get 249-252 growing days with 1975-2113mm of rain – the highest in Lagos.

What this means for your farm:

• Ideal for water-intensive crops like taro, waterleaf and rice

• Saltwater intrusion can poison soils within 2km of coastlines

• Drainage ditches must be 1.5 feet deep and cleaned weekly

• Mangrove soils need extra organic matter for vegetables

Island Areas (Lagos Island, Victoria Island, Ikoyi):

Rains begin April 1-4 and end December 3-6, providing 245-250 days with 1936-1977mm rain.

What this means for urban farmers:

• Rooftop gardens dry out faster – water twice daily

• Air pollution increases pest problems

• Container gardening is safest for leafy vegetables

• Vertical farming maximizes limited space

BEST CROPS TO PLANT AND HOW

For All Urban Farmers:

🌿 Vegetables (Spinach, Lettuce, Ugwu):

Planting schedule: New batch every 3 weeks year-round

Key steps:

• Build raised beds 30cm high × 1m wide

• Mix soil with compost (50:50 ratio)

• Sow seeds 5cm apart in rows 30cm apart

• Water gently every morning (2 liters per sqm)

• Apply liquid fertilizer (1 cap per 5L water) weekly

• Harvest outer leaves first starting week 5

For Mainland/Coastal Areas:

🌾 Cassava:

Best planting: April 5-20 and August 1-15

Critical practices:

• Select disease-free stems 1m long

• Plant at 45° angle, 1m apart

• Weed thoroughly at 3 and 10 weeks

• Watch for whitefly infestations (spread mosaic virus)

• Harvest after 10 months when leaves yellow

For Coastal Wetlands:

🌾 Rice (Lowland):

Transplanting: June 10-25

Management:

• Maintain 5cm water depth

• Weed at 3, 6 and 9 weeks

• Apply NPK fertilizer (15:15:15) at 4 weeks

• Drain fields completely 2 weeks pre-harvest

• Harvest when 80% grains turn yellow

For Rooftop/Container Gardens:

🍅 Tomatoes/Peppers:

Planting: Year-round in 25L containers

Care:

• Use potting mix + compost (3:1 ratio)

• Stake plants at 4 weeks

• Water 1L per plant daily

• Spray neem oil weekly for pests

• Harvest fruits when fully colored

COMPLETE ANIMAL CARE GUIDE

For Poultry Farmers:

Coop Management:

• Elevate coops 1m above ground

• Allow 1 sq ft space per bird

• Change wood shavings weekly

• Whitewash walls with lime monthly

Feeding:

• Provide 120g feed/bird daily

• Give clean water constantly

• Add vitamins to water twice weekly

Health:

Vaccinate against Newcastle disease

Isolate sick birds immediately

Disinfect equipment weekly

For Fish Farmers:

Pond Management:

• Stock 10-15 catfish/m³

• Change 30% water weekly

• Feed 5% of body weight daily

Health:

• Watch for floating fish

• Treat fungal infections with salt baths

• Avoid overfeeding

For Snail Farmers:

Housing:

• Use plastic bins with lid

• Maintain 25-30°C temperature

• Keep humidity at 80-90%

Feeding:

• Provide pawpaw leaves daily

• Give calcium (egg shells) weekly

• Mist with water twice daily

CRITICAL DANGER PERIODS

May 15-June 30 (First Peak Rains):

Risks:

• Flash floods in Lagos

• Cholera outbreaks in animals

• Fungal diseases in crops

Preparation:

• Build sandbag barriers around farms

• Stock emergency animal feed

• Apply copper-based fungicides

October 1-November 15 (Second Peak):

Watch For:

• Cassava mosaic disease

• Fish pond overflow

• Snail escapes

Solutions:

• Install mosquito nets over snail pens

• Reinforce pond edges

• Remove infected plants

MONTH-BY-MONTH WORK PLAN

March-April:

• Clear all drainage channels

• Start seed germination indoors

• Repair poultry cages

• Test soil pH

May-June:

• Transplant seedlings

• Install trellises for climbers

• Vaccinate poultry

• Begin fish stocking

July-August:

• Harvest early crops

• Prune fruit trees

• Clean water systems

• Rotate grazing areas

September-November:

• Plant second crops

• Build raised beds

• Prepare dry season storage

• Cull unproductive animals

December-February:

• Harvest late crops

• Dry and preserve produce

• Repair all equipment

• Plan next season

SECTION 5: WHERE TO GET HELP

NiMet Lagos Office:

📞 Mr. Awotilu Augustus A

☎️ 08142572194, 08058205086

📧 aawotitu1995@gmail.com, nimet.sw.oshodi@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 Lagos state