CROSS RIVER STATE FARMER WEATHER GUIDE

by Akinmayowa Shobo | Aug 14, 2025 | Climate Justice, ejsd-Blog

🌧 CROSS RIVER STATE FARMING WEATHER GUIDE 2025

Whether you grow crops or raise animals, this information will help you make good decisions. Let’s go through it step by step.

RAIN PATTERNS 

1. Coastal Areas (Longest Rainy Season)

Places like Calabar South, Bakassi, Akpabuyo:

🌧 First Rain: March 6-18

☀️ Last Rain: December 17

📅 Growing Days: 285-287 days

💧 Total Rain: 2700-2845mm 

What This Means:

• You can farm almost all year round
• Be ready for very heavy rains that may cause flooding
• Good for crops like cassava, plantain, and water yam

1. Middle Zones (Long Rainy Season)

Places like Akamkpa, Biase, Odukpani:

🌧 First Rain: March 12-18

☀️ Last Rain: December 13-15

📅 Growing Days: 273-281 days

💧 Total Rain: 2439-2521mm

What This Means:

• Long growing season but shorter than coastal areas
• Watch for soil washing away (erosion) on slopes
• Good for cocoa, oil palm, and maize

1. Northern Areas (Shorter Rainy Season)

Places like Obudu, Ogoja, Bekwarra:

🌧 First Rain: March 31 – April 3

☀️ Last Rain: December 2-4

📅 Growing Days: 243-247 days

💧 Total Rain: 1881-1953mm

What This Means:

• Shorter season than southern areas
• Need to plant at right time
• Good for rice, yam, and groundnuts

DRY SPELLS TO WATCH FOR

What is a Dry Spell?

This is when rain stops for many days during rainy season, making crops suffer.

When to Expect Them:

April-May Dry Spell:

• Will last about 10 days
• Most dangerous for new maize and vegetable farms

August Break (Little Dry Season):

• Starts July 21-31
• Lasts 10-14 days
• Will affect flowering cocoa and fruiting crops

BEST CROPS FOR EACH ZONE

For Coastal Farmers:

Plant cassava (can handle heavy rain)

Grow water yam in wet areas

Try upland rice in better-drained spots

For Middle Zone Farmers:

Cocoa does well here

Plant oil palm seedlings

Maize grows well if planted early

For Northern Farmers:

Yam grows best here

Plant groundnuts on well-drained land

Rice does well in low-lying areas

PROTECTING YOUR FARM

Before Heavy Rains:

Build small ridges across slopes to stop soil washing away

Plant cover crops like melon to protect soil

Clear drainage paths around your farm

During Dry Spells:

Use mulch (dry leaves/grass) to keep soil wet

Water young plants in morning or evening

Don’t plant new seeds during dry periods

CARE FOR YOUR ANIMALS

Poultry Farmers:

Keep chicken houses dry during heavy rains

Watch for more diseases in wet weather

Fish Farmers:

Strengthen pond walls before heavy rains

Cover ponds during heaviest rains

Goat/Sheep Farmers:

Provide dry resting areas

Deworm animals before rainy season starts

Coastal farmers – prepare for very heavy rains

SECTION 5: WHERE TO GET HELP

NiMet Contact for Cross River:

📞 Mr. J. Iyanam

☎️ 08059740971

📩 Email: j.iyanam@nimet.gov.ng, jiyanam@yahoo.com

🌍 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.

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 Cross River state