The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMeT) has presented its 2022 seasonal rainfall and temperature prediction to guide farmers on the commencement of the farming season.
Speaking during the seasonal climate prediction (SCP) themed “Strengthening Climate Actions through Timely and Impact-based Climate Prediction for Economic Recovery” in Abuja, the minister of aviation, Senator Hadi Sirika, said the onset of the planting season is predicted to be normal over most parts of Nigeria.
“The earliest onset of the planting season (beginning of planting activities) is expected around February 28, 2022, in the coastal parts of the country while the onset of rainfall is expected between April and May in the central states and, eventually, between June to July in the northern states. The onset of the planting season is predicted to be normal over most parts of Nigeria with a few areas having it earlier while some will have it delayed.
“Rainfall cessation dates across most parts of the county in 2022 are predicted to be near the long-term average conditions. The window between the onset and cessation dates can be regarded as safe periods for the planting of various crops by their cropping calendars. The growing season is predicted to last between 250-300 days in southern parts of the country and 100 to 200 days in the north. Noteworthy are areas around Kwara, Oyo, Lagos, Nasarawa, Benue, Bayelsa and Rivers which are likely to experience shorter than normal length of the growing season. However, prolonged length of the growing season is anticipated in parts of Plateau, Kaduna, Edo and Imo.
“For the annual total rainfall, the prediction indicates that the annual rainfall amount is expected to be normal in most parts of the country. The annual rainfall amount is expected to range from 390 mm in the north to over 2790 mm in the south. Annual rainfall amount ranging from 390 mm to 790mm is anticipated in some parts of Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Katsina and Sokoto states. The central states such as Nasarawa, Taraba, Kogi, Benue and the FCT, as well as Ekiti, Osun and Oyo are anticipated to record 1190 mm to 1590 mm of total rainfall.
“From May to August, 2022 dry spells of different degrees of severity ranging from mild to severe, are predicted for different parts of the country. Moderate dry spell persisting for up to 15 days is predicted over parts of Adamawa, Benue, Kogi, Ekiti, Kwara, Niger, FCT, Kaduna, Sokoto, Kebbi and Gombe. Parts of Kebbi, Katsina, Jigawa, Yobe, Borno, Nasarawa and Plateau states may experience a severe dry spell that could persist for up to 20 days or longer in June 2022.”
Sirika commended the management and staff of NiMet for continuously improving the quality of services, sustaining the momentum of timely presentation of SCP within the first quarter of the year and, of course, the innovation of the downscaling activities.
Earlier in his remarks, NiMeT’s director-general, Prof. Mansur Matazu, said the SCP is one of its flagship products, an invaluable tool that has helped lots of farmers improve their yields.
He added that it has also helped increase and improve the level of preparedness by emergency management agencies, complement the flood prediction by Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA) and served as an advisory tool for many stakeholders at the federal, state and local government levels.
According to him, NiMet is excited to push this vision and help in the recovery of the economy after the trying phase where the global pandemic affected some of the gains made previously through agriculture.
“The vagaries of weather and climate is not limited to agriculture. Other socio-economic sectors also have weather and climate as a critical competition. The content is multisectoral with co-produced socio-economic implications of the prediction by NiMet and relevant stakeholders.
“The SCP becomes a veritable tool to notify relevant stakeholders and emergency managers of the anticipated rainfall pattern within the season for necessary mitigation plans.
“As we bring you details of the 2022 Seasonal Climate Prediction, we believe there shall be talking points and we look forward to strong collaboration with organisations of government at all levels, as well as non-governmental organisations. Your feedbacks are a necessary input in helping us improve the document and serve you better,” he added.
