NIGER STATE FARMERS’ WEATHER GUIDE

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

🌧 NIGER STATE FARMERS’ GUIDE 2025

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

RAIN PATTERNS: WHAT TO EXPECT IN YOUR AREA

For Farmers in Dry Northern Zones (Kontagora, Rijau, Magama):

Your rains will come late this year. The first proper rains won’t start until June 4-13. Don’t be tricked by early showers in May – these false starts can ruin your seeds. Wait until you’ve seen 3 straight days of good, steady rain before planting.

Your rains will stop early too – around October 24-29. This gives you just 128-147 days (4-5 months) of growing time. You’ll get 863-937mm of rain – that’s about 20% less than farmers south of Minna.

What this means for your farming:

• Every day counts – plant within 3 days after proper rains begin

• Only fast-growing crops will mature in time

• You must save every drop of rainwater – more on this later

For Farmers in Southern Zones (Lapai, Bida, Agaie):

Your situation is better but needs care. Rains will start May 13-24 – mark these dates on your calendar. The season will last until November 4-10, giving you 156-180 days (5-6 months) with 1,060-1,208mm of rain.

But there’s danger – heavy rains may flood low-lying areas. Last year many farms in Mokwa were destroyed by floods.

What you must do differently:

• Prepare drainage channels now while the ground is dry

• Build raised mounds for yam and cassava

• Store extra seeds in case first planting gets washed away

CROP-SPECIFIC STRATEGIES FOR SURVIVAL

Millet – The Reliable Choice for All Areas

For farmers in Rijau, Kagara, and other northern areas:

When to plant: June 10-20 (wait for steady rains)

Seed preparation: Soak seeds overnight before planting to help them sprout faster

Spacing: Plant holes 60cm apart – any closer and plants will choke each other

Bird control: When grains form, assign children to guard fields daily from 7am-6pm

Rice – For Riverine Areas Only

Farmers along Niger River (Shiroro, Lavun, Gbako):

Planting time: June 1-15 for best results

Water management:

Keep 5cm water in fields at all times

Build small mud walls around plots to hold water

Weeding:

First weeding at 3 weeks after planting

Second weeding at 6 weeks

Never let weeds grow taller than rice plants

Cowpea – The Smart Second Crop

For all farmers after planting cereals:

Best planting time: 2 weeks after millet/sorghum (early July)

Pod management:

• Start picking pods when they snap easily

• Harvest every 3 days to keep plants productive

Drying technique:

• Spread beans on clean mats in full sun

• Turn them 3 times daily

• Properly dried beans will break, not bend

Yam – For Southern Farmers with More Time

In Lapai, Agaie, Bida areas:

Mound preparation:

• Build mounds 1m wide, 50cm high in April-May
• Mix manure into soil before planting

Planting:

• Cut seed yams into pieces with 2-3 eyes each
• Plant when rains are steady (late May-June)

Staking:

• Use strong 2m poles
• Tie vines gently as they grow

LIVESTOCK MANAGEMENT THROUGH THE SEASONS

Cattle Owners – Seasonal Survival Plan

Now (Dry Season – April/May):

Feed:

• Give crop residues (sorghum stalks, groundnut tops)
• Supplement with salt licks

Water:

• Provide clean water 2x daily
• Walk herds to water points in cool mornings/evenings

Rainy Season (June-October):

• Health dangers:
• Foot rot from wet ground – check hooves weekly
• Tick explosion – spray or wash animals every 2 weeks

Grazing strategy:

• Move herds away from flooded areas
• Don’t let cattle stand in waterlogged fields

Preparing for Next Dry Season:

Start in August:

• Cut and dry grasses for hay

• Store crop residues in raised, dry places

• Identify water sources before they dry up

Goat and Sheep Special Care

Shelter improvements:

• Raise floors with wooden slats to keep animals dry

• Make roofs slope to one side for proper runoff

Rainy season feeding:

• Let graze but avoid waterlogged areas

• Provide raised feeding platforms

Health routine:

• Deworm every 3 months (mark dates on calendar)
• Trim hooves before rains start to prevent rot

Poultry Farmers – Seasonal Adjustments

Broiler Production:

• Best growing period: August-November

Heat management:

• Paint coops white to reflect heat
• Hang wet sacks on sunny sides

Feeding:

• Give feed in cool morning/evening hours
• Never let feed get wet or moldy

Layer Hens:

Light management:

• Provide 16 hours of light daily
• Use simple solar bulbs if needed

Egg production boosters:

• Provide oyster shells or crushed eggshells
• Keep nest boxes clean and dry

Fish Farmers – Rainy Season Opportunities

Pond preparation:

• Clear ponds completely before rains
• Repair leaks in pond walls

Stocking:

• Best time: First 2 weeks of steady rains

• Stock size: Fingerlings about the length of your finger

Daily care:

• Feed twice daily – morning and afternoon

Watch for:

• Fish gasping at surface (needs water change)
• Cloudy water (drain 1/3, add fresh water)

CRITICAL DANGER PERIODS: WHEN TO BE EXTRA VIGILANT

July 15-30: The Great Dry Spell

For 10-15 days around mid-July, the rains will completely stop. Your crops will be at their most vulnerable stage:

For Crop Farmers:

Before the dry spell (Early July):

• Collect all dry grass/leaves you can find

• Spread a 5cm-thick layer around every plant

• Build small water catchment basins (1m wide holes) near fields

During the dry days:

• Watering strategy:

• Prioritize newly planted crops first

• Use old containers with small holes for drip watering

Weed control:

• Remove every weed – they steal precious water
• Do weeding early morning when soil is coolest

For Livestock Owners:

Water rationing plan:

• Cattle: 20 liters per animal daily (morning/evening)

• Goats/Sheep: 5 liters per animal daily

• Poultry: Change water 3 times daily to keep cool

Feed management:

• Cut and store wild grasses now

• Mix 1 handful of salt with every 10kg of dry feed

September 5-25: Disease Explosion Period

The combination of heat and moisture creates perfect conditions for diseases:

Crops Under Threat:

Millet/Sorghum:

Look for:

• White powder on leaves (fungus)
• Sticky insects on stems

Treatment:

• Mix 1kg wood ash + 10 liters water → spray plants

Cowpea:

Danger signs:

• Black spots on leaves
• Wilted young plants

Emergency action:

• Uproot and burn infected plants immediately

Livestock Health Crisis:

Cattle/Goats:

Tick explosion:

• Check under tails, behind ears daily
• Make tobacco leaf spray (soak 20 leaves in 5L water for 2 days)

Foot rot:

• Wash feet with salt water weekly

Poultry:

Newcastle disease warning signs:

• Twisting necks
• Green diarrhea

Prevention:

• Isolate sick birds immediately
• Add garlic cloves to drinking water

SECTION 5: WHERE TO GET HELP

NiMet Niger Office:

📞 Mr. Pwajok, Gyang Tok

☎️ 08067731592

📧 g.pwajok@nimet.gov.ng, pwajokgyang95@gmail.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.
• 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 Niger state