KWARA STATE FARMERS’ WEATHER GUIDE

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

🌧 KWARA 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

Northern Kwara (Kaiama, Baruten, Edu areas):

The rains will likely start between May 18-25. Despite the early drizzles, wait until you’ve seen 3 consecutive days of proper rain before planting. The rains will stop around November 11-15, giving you 150-160 days (5-5.5 months) of growing time. You will receive 1100-1200mm of rain – enough if managed well.

What this means for your farm:

• Your growing season is reliable but has moderate length

• The sandy soils in this area drain quickly – use ridges to conserve moisture

• Dry spells often occur in July/August – be prepared with mulch materials

• The first 3 weeks after planting are most critical for crop establishment

Central Kwara (Ilorin, Asa, Moro areas):

Expect rains to start May 7-15 and end November 16-18. You’ll have 160-170 days (5.5-6 months) of growing time with 1200-1317mm of rain.

What this means for your farm:

• You have good conditions for maize, sorghum and cowpea

• The July dry spell (around 15-25) can stress young crops

• Rotate your crops each year to maintain soil fertility

• The clay soils here hold water well but can become waterlogged

Southern Kwara (Ifelodun, Irepodun, Ekiti areas):

Your rains will start earliest (May 1-9) and last longest (until November 20-21). You’ll get 170-179 growing days and 1300-1416mm of rain – the most in Kwara state.

What this means for your farm:

• You can successfully grow two crop cycles

• Cassava and rice perform particularly well here

• The heavy rains can cause erosion – use contour ridges

• Collect rainwater in ponds for dry season irrigation

BEST CROPS TO PLANT AND HOW

For All Areas of Kwara:

🌾 Sorghum:

Best planting time: May 20 – June 5

Key steps for success:

• Select certified seeds of improved varieties

• Plant 3 seeds per hole, spaced 70cm apart

• Thin to 2 strongest plants per stand at 2 weeks

• Apply organic manure or NPK fertilizer at 3 weeks

• From week 8, have children guard fields against birds

• Harvest when grains are hard and heads droop

🌽 Maize:

Best planting time: May 15-30

Critical care instructions:

• Plant in blocks (not single rows) for wind protection

• Check under leaves twice weekly for fall armyworm

• If worms appear, mix 1kg wood ash with 10L water and spray

• Apply fertilizer at 3 and 6 weeks after planting

• Weed thoroughly at 3 and 6 weeks

• Harvest when husks turn brown and dry

For Central/Southern Kwara:

🥜 Cowpea:

Best planting time: June 10-25

Essential practices:

• Plant after cereals are established (about 3 weeks after)

• Space plants 50cm apart in rows 75cm apart

• Intercrop with maize or sorghum for better yields

• Pick pods every 3 days to encourage more production

• Dry beans on raised platforms for 3 sunny days

• Store in airtight containers with neem leaves

For Southern Kwara Only:

🌾 Cassava:

Best planting time: April 25 – May 15

Proper cultivation methods:

• Select healthy stems 1m long from disease-free plants

• Plant stems at 45° angle, 1m apart

• Weed thoroughly at 3 and 10 weeks

• Apply compost or manure at 6 weeks

• Watch for mosaic disease – remove infected plants

• Harvest after 10-12 months

🌾 Rice (Lowland):

Transplanting time: June 15-30

Key management practices:

• Maintain 5cm water level in fields

• Weed aggressively at 3 and 6 weeks

• Apply fertilizer at 4 and 8 weeks

• Drain fields 2 weeks before harvest

• Harvest when 80% of grains are yellow

• Dry on clean, raised platforms

COMPLETE ANIMAL CARE GUIDE

For Cattle Farmers:

Pasture Management:

• Plant improved grasses like Andropogon and Stylosanthes

• Practice rotational grazing – move herds every 2 weeks

• Cut and store grass during rains for dry season

Feeding:

• Provide mineral licks year-round

• Give salt blocks to encourage water intake

• Feed crop residues like maize stover and cowpea haulms

Health Care:

• Deworm every 3 months (March, June, September, December)

• Vaccinate against contagious bovine pleuropneumonia

• Check for ticks daily during rainy season

For Goat and Sheep Owners:

Housing:

• Build raised wooden floors to keep animals dry

• Provide shade nets during hot months

• Ensure proper ventilation in pens

• Feeding Practices:

• Provide fresh water twice daily in clean containers

• Add a pinch of salt to feed weekly

• Allow grazing only after morning dew dries

Health Maintenance:

• Trim hooves every 2 months

• Vaccinate against PPR disease annually

• Isolate sick animals immediately

For Poultry Farmers:

Coop Management:

• Whitewash walls with local clay to reflect heat

• Keep bedding dry – change wood shavings weekly

• Provide 1 square foot space per bird

Feeding:

• Provide balanced feed twice daily

• Add grit for better digestion

• Give clean water constantly

• Disease Prevention:

• Vaccinate chicks at day-old against Newcastle disease

• Disinfect coops monthly with wood ash

• Remove sick birds immediately

CRITICAL DANGER PERIODS

July 15-30 (Mid-Season Dry Spell):

Risks:

• Young crops may wither

• Pastures dry up quickly

• Water sources diminish

Preparation:

• Mulch crops with dry grass before July

• Prioritize watering for youngest plants

• Reduce herd sizes by selling older animals

• Store extra feed and water

September (Disease Peak Month):

Watch For:

• Maize rust (orange powder on leaves)

• Cassava mosaic (yellow patterns on leaves)

• Respiratory diseases in poultry

Solutions:

• Remove and burn infected plants

• Spray organic fungicides made from neem

• Improve ventilation in animal shelters

• Isolate sick animals immediately

MONTH-BY-MONTH WORK PLAN

April (Preparation Month):

• Clear fields completely – remove all weeds

• Repair farm tools – hoes, cutlasses, sprayers

• Build or repair animal shelters

• Purchase quality seeds and inputs

May (Planting Month):

• Plant early crops as soon as rains stabilize

• Mark fields where pests were problems last year

• Vaccinate young livestock

• Start preparing fish ponds

June (Establishment Month):

• Complete all planting

• First weeding of early crops

• Plant second crops in southern areas

• Continue animal health programs

July (Maintenance Month):

• Second weeding of all fields

• Prepare for dry spell – gather mulch materials

• Harvest early-maturing vegetables

• Monitor crops for pests daily

August (Preparation Month):

• Begin storing crop residues for animal feed

• Prepare sites for dry season gardens

• Harvest early maize varieties

• Continue pest monitoring

September (Harvest Month):

• Begin main harvests of cereals

• Dry and store grains properly

• Plant dry season vegetables

• Vaccinate animals against seasonal diseases

SECTION 5: WHERE TO GET HELP

NiMet Kwara Office:

📞 Mr. Bakare Olatayo

☎️ 08035759025

📧 taybak_9@yahoo.com, b.olatayo@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 Kwara state