TARABA STATE FARMERS’ WEATHER GUIDE

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

🌧 TARABA STATE FARMERS’ GUIDE 2025

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

UNDERSTANDING THIS YEAR’S RAIN PATTERN

For Farmers in Southern Taraba (Wukari, Takum, Donga):

Your rains will start between April 5-10, beginning with light showers that gradually become steady by mid-April. The growing season will last until November 15-20, giving you about 210-220 days of good farming time. You’ll receive 1,400-1,600mm of rain, but be careful – the heavy downpours in June and September can flood low-lying fields.

For Farmers in Northern Taraba (Jalingo, Bali, Zing):

Your rains will start slightly later, around April 10-15, and finish earlier by November 5-10. This gives you 190-200 days of growing time with 1,200-1,400mm of rain. The August break around July 25-August 5 will be your biggest challenge, as crops will be at critical growth stages during this dry spell.

What This Means for Your Farming:

The early rains in southern areas mean you can plant some crops early, but don’t rush – wait until the soil is properly moist. Northern farmers should prepare for a shorter season by choosing crops that mature faster. All farmers need to prepare for the August break when crops will need extra care.

GROWING YOUR CROPS 

Maize Farming for Good Harvests

The best time to plant maize is between April 15-25 in southern areas and April 20-30 in northern zones. Prepare your field by clearing weeds and loosening the soil to about hand depth. Plant seeds about two finger joints deep, spacing them a hand’s width apart in rows as wide as your outstretched arms.

When plants reach your knee height, remove some to give the remaining plants more space. This helps them grow stronger. The August dry spell will come when your maize is flowering – its most sensitive time. Before this period, collect dry grass and spread it thickly between your plants to keep the soil moist.

Rice Farming in Lowland Areas

If you farm near rivers or in low-lying areas, rice grows well here. Wait until the field has steady water about ankle deep before planting around May 1-10. Keep the water at this level as the rice grows. Remove weeds carefully by hand to avoid damaging the young rice plants. When grains start forming, watch for birds and have children guard the field during the day.

Cassava

Plant cassava stems between April 20-May 5 on mounds about knee-high. This keeps the roots from sitting in water during heavy rains. Space the mounds as wide as your outstretched arms. Weed carefully when plants are ankle high and again at knee height. Watch for signs of sick plants – if leaves turn yellow or grow twisted, remove those plants immediately.

CARING FOR YOUR ANIMALS THROUGH THE SEASONS

Managing Your Cattle and Goats

When the rains begin in April, the fresh grass will help your animals regain strength after the dry season. However, this is also when parasites become active. Check your animals daily, especially under their bellies and behind their ears, for ticks that can make them sick. A simple way to help is to mix wood ash with a little water and rub it on their skin where ticks gather – this makes the ticks fall off.

As your animals graze during the rainy season, rotate them between different areas to prevent overgrazing. When you see the grasses getting short in one area, move your animals to let the grass recover. This way, you’ll have better grazing throughout the season.

When the dry season approaches in October, start preparing by cutting grass and drying it in the sun. Store this dried grass in a raised, dry place to use as feed later. Also collect crop leftovers like maize stalks and bean vines – these can supplement your animals’ feed when fresh grass becomes scarce.

Poultry

The changing seasons affect your poultry differently. During the rainy season, keep their housing dry by ensuring good drainage around the coop. Raise the floor with wooden slats or packed earth to prevent dampness. Change their bedding material regularly to keep it dry and clean.

In the hot dry months, provide shade for your chickens using palm fronds or grass mats. Make sure they always have clean, cool water – change it at least twice daily. If you notice birds panting or holding their wings away from their bodies, they’re too hot – sprinkle water on the ground around their coop to cool the air.

For chickens that lay eggs, maintain a consistent light pattern. The natural daylight plus about 4 hours of additional light (from simple solar lamps) will help them lay regularly. Collect eggs at least twice daily – in the morning and evening – to keep them clean and prevent breakage.

CRITICAL PERIODS AND HOW TO SURVIVE THEM

July 25-August 5 (August Break)

This 10-12 day dry period will test your crops:

• Spread dry grass mulch around plants before July 20

• Have water ready for most valuable crops

• Complete major weeding before this period

September 1-20 (Disease Peak)

• Humid weather brings diseases:

• Walk fields daily looking for sick plants

• Remove and burn any infected plants immediately

• Keep chicken coops extra clean during this time

October Heavy Rains

May damage mature crops:

• Harvest as soon as crops are ready

• Store grains in airtight containers with neem leaves

• Clear drainage channels around fields

SECTION 5: WHERE TO GET HELP

NiMet Taraba Office:

📞 Mr. Amos N. Gimba

☎️ 08037333143

📧 a.gimba@nimet.gov.ng, gimbaprofil@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

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Summary of Predicted Onset Date, Cessation Date, Length of Season and Annual Rainfall Amounts for States and Local Government Areas for Taraba state