EKITI STATE FARMER WEATHER GUIDE

by Akinmayowa Shobo | Aug 15, 2025 | Climate Justice, ejsd-Blog

🌧 EKITI STATE COMPREHENSIVE FARMING GUIDE 2025

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

RAINFALL DISTRIBUTION EXPLAINED

(Understanding Your Local Weather Pattern)

For Southern Farmers (Ado-Ekiti, Ikere, Irepodun/Ifelodun):

The rains will begin between April 11-17 and continue until November 24-26, giving you 215-224 days of growing season. You’ll receive about 1513-1579mm of rainfall

For Central Farmers (Ekiti West, Ijero, Efon):

Expect first rains April 14-20 and last rains around November 22-24. Your 214-221 rainy days with 1472-1539mm rainfall means you’ll have slightly less water than southern areas, but still enough for good harvests if managed well.

For Northern Farmers (Ikole, Oye, Moba):

Your rains start latest (April 16-22) and end earliest (November 21-23). With 212-220 rainy days and 1445-1512mm rain, you have the shortest season. Every drop counts – plant early and conserve water!

CROP ADVICE

(Tailored Recommendations for Major Crops)

Yam Cultivation (Dioscorea spp.)

Planting Timing: The ideal window is April 15-May 15, when soil moisture is perfect.

Mound Preparation: Build mounds 60cm high and 1m wide to prevent waterlogging that causes tuber rot.

Critical Care: Apply wood ash (2 handfuls per mound) to protect against pests and diseases.

Cassava Farming (Manihot esculenta)

Planting Period: From April through July, but earlier planting gives better yields.

Proper Spacing: Maintain 1m between plants to allow sunlight penetration and air flow.

Weeding Schedule: Weed 3 times – at 2 weeks, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks after planting.

Maize Production (Zea mays)

Optimal Planting: April 20-May 10 ensures enough moisture for germination.

Dry Spell Protection: When the May-June dry period comes, use dry grass mulch around plants to conserve moisture.

Cocoa Farming (Theobroma cacao)

Pruning Importance: Complete pruning February-March to allow sunlight into the canopy.

Disease Watch: After heavy rains, inspect pods daily for black pod disease – remove and destroy infected pods immediately.

LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT GUIDE

(Keeping Your Animals Healthy Through the Seasons)

Poultry Farmers:

• Heat Stress Prevention:
• Reduce stocking density by 20% during hot months
• Provide cool, clean water 3 times daily (morning, noon, evening)
• Install shade nets over pens to reduce temperature

Goat and Sheep Rearers:

Rainy Season Care:

• Build raised wooden platforms (30cm high) to keep animals dry
• Deworm every 3 months (February, May, August, November)
• Store hay and grasses during rainy season for dry season feed

Fish Farmers:

Pond Management:

• Strengthen pond walls with compacted soil before heavy rains
• Reduce feeding by 50% when water temperature exceeds 30°C
• Install overflow pipes to prevent flooding during heavy rains

CRITICAL WEATHER PERIODS & PROTECTION

1. May-June Dry Spell (May 20 – June 5)

Most Vulnerable Crops:

• Newly planted maize (2-4 weeks old)
• Young vegetable seedlings
• Recently transplanted tree crops

Protection Methods:

Before dry spell:

• Apply 5cm thick mulch of dry grass around plants
• Dig small water collection pits (1m deep) near fields

During dry spell:

• Water plants early morning (5-7am) when evaporation is lowest
• Prioritize water for most valuable crops

1. August Break (July 24 – August 7)

Most Affected Activities:

• Cassava tuber formation
• Rice flowering and grain filling
• Livestock water availability

Preparation Advice:

For crops:

• Complete fertilizer application by July 10
• Weed thoroughly before dry period begins

For animals:

• Store enough water (minimum 50L per cow daily)
• Cut and store grasses in July

April-May (Planting Season):

• Clear and prepare all farmlands
• Plant yam, cassava, and early maize
• Establish vegetable nurseries
• Begin regular weeding

June-July (Growth Period):

• Apply fertilizers to growing crops
• Monitor for pests and diseases
• Prepare water conservation methods
• Start harvesting early vegetables

August-September (Critical Care):

• Implement dry spell protection
• Continue pest monitoring
• Begin harvesting early crops
• Cut and store animal feed

October-November (Harvest & Preparation):

• Complete main harvests
• Process and store crops properly
• Prepare fields for dry season farming
• Deworm all livestock

SECTION 5: WHERE TO GET HELP

NiMet Ekiti Officer:

📞 Mr. Lawal Oludare

☎️ 08068380251

📧 o.lawal@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 Ekiti state