PLATEAU STATE FARMERS’ WEATHER GUIDE

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

🌧 PLATEAU STATE FARMERS’ GUIDE 2025

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

WHEN WILL THE RAINS COME?

For Farmers in Southern Areas (Shendam, Langtang):

Your rains will start between May 5-12. First, you’ll see small rains that come and go. Wait until you get steady rains around May 15 before planting. The rains will stop around early November, giving you about 5-6 months of good farming time. You’ll get enough rain for your crops, but August will have very heavy rains that can flood your fields.

For Farmers in Northern Areas (Jos, Barkin Ladi):

Your rains will start a bit later, around May 10-15, and stop earlier around October 25-30. This means you have 5-5½ months of rain. The cold nights here make the soil slow to warm up, so wait a little longer before planting crops that don’t like cold soil.

Important Things to Watch for:

• There will be 10-12 dry days around July 25-August 5

• September brings many crop diseases

• First cold nights come in early November – harvest before then

HOW TO GROW YOUR CROPS WELL

Potatoes

The best time to plant potatoes is May 15-25. Make long mounds of soil about as wide as your outstretched arms. Put the potato seeds about one hand’s length apart in the mounds.

When the plants grow to your ankle height, pile more soil around their stems. This helps the potatoes grow big underground. The dry days in late July come just when your potatoes are forming underground. Spread dry grass around the plants to keep the soil moist during this time.

If you see dark spots on the leaves, this is the dangerous potato sickness. Remove those leaves right away and don’t work in the field when plants are wet to stop it from spreading.

Maize Farming

Plant your maize between May 10-25. Put the seeds a little deeper in the soil than in other states because of the cold nights. Leave enough space between plants – about one hand’s length apart in rows as wide as your outstretched arms.

When the maize starts making flowers (around late July), this is when it needs water most. The dry days will come at this bad time. Prepare by:

• Saving rainwater in any containers you have

• Putting dry grass around the plants

• Removing some weak plants so the strong ones get more water

Vegetables

The cold nights help these special crops grow well:

Cabbage:

Start small plants in a nursery bed in April. Move them to the main field in late May. Space them about two hand lengths apart. Watch for small green worms and spray with neem leaf water weekly.

Carrots:

Plant seeds directly in fine soil in late May. When the green tops are small, remove some plants so the remaining ones have space to grow big carrots underground.

Peas:

Plant along fences or sticks so they can climb. Pick the pods every few days to make the plants produce more.

CARING FOR YOUR ANIMALS

Cattle

The cool weather here is good for milk production. During the rains:

• Move your cows to different grazing areas so they always have fresh grass

• Give them extra crop leftovers like maize stalks

• Make them walk through a shallow water bath weekly to keep their feet healthy

When the dry season comes:

• Feed them the grass you saved during the rains

• Give them more water than usual

• Keep salt stones for them to lick

Poultry

For chickens that lay eggs:

• Keep their house dry and clean

• Give them light for 16 hours every day (you can use small solar lights)

• Collect eggs at least three times daily

For meat chickens:

• Don’t put too many in one house

• Keep them warm at night during cold periods

• Always have clean water available

Goats and Sheep

Build their house with floors raised above the ground to keep them dry. During the rains:

• Cut grass for them instead of letting them graze in wet fields

• Give them medicine for stomach worms every 10 weeks

• Prepare for dry season by planting special grasses around their house that will grow even when other grass dries up.

DANGEROUS TIMES AND HOW TO SURVIVE THEM

July 25-August 5 (Dry Days)

This is when your crops need water most:

• Spread dry grass around all your plants before July 20

• Save water in any containers you have

• Check the food you stored for your animals

September 

Walk through your fields every morning looking for:

• Spots on potato leaves

• White powder on pea plants

• Sick-looking chickens

• Remove any sick plants or animals immediately to protect the healthy ones.

Early November 

Harvest all your potatoes before the first cold night. Cover any remaining vegetables with dry grass. Move your chickens to the warmest part of their house.

SECTION 5: WHERE TO GET HELP

NiMet Plateau Office:

📞 Mr. Kazachiang, T. V.

☎️ 08124088883

📧 t.kazachiang@nimet.gov.ng, tkgorahh@yahoo.com

🌍 To download the SCP 2025, visit NiMet website: https://www.nimet.gov.ng/scp

Remember:

For accurate weather updates and early warnings, the Nigerian Meteorological Agency has a dedicated contact for your state. You can reach their office during working hours for the most current forecasts and advice.

If you encounter problems with your crops, the state agriculture department has extension officers stationed across all local government areas. 

Keep careful track of important dates and activities by marking them on a calendar or in a notebook. Note when you planted each crop, when you fertilized, and any problems you observed. This record will help you plan better next season.

Work together with other farmers in your area. Form small groups to share labor during busy periods, exchange information about what’s working, and watch for early signs of trouble in each other’s fields.

Most importantly, stay alert to changes in your environment. Notice if insects appear that you haven’t seen before, or if plants show unusual symptoms. The earlier you spot potential problems, the easier they are to manage.

Remember that farming in Ondo State requires both traditional knowledge and willingness to adapt to changing conditions. Use this information, combine it with your own experience, and may the coming year bring you good harvests and healthy animals.

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 Plateau state