Agency wants drought -tolerant crops in the North

The agency advises farmers in Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto, Kano, Jigawa Yobe, Borno, and Adamawa states to plant drought-tolerant crops and seek guidance from appropriate experts to avoid economic loss.
At the presentation, Supervising Minister for Aviation, Dr Samuel Ortom said, “Accurate and timely meteorological information is therefore vital for planning and decision making, particularly in those sectors that are most sensitive to weather and climate.”
The 2014 seasonal rainfall prediction forecasts a “warmer-than-normal conditions for both day and night in March in the North,” while below normal rainfall is expected in places in the North-central and southern states.
“Livestock generally will be directly impacted through heat stress, changes in water availability, availability of good quality feeds; while vector-borne diseases may increase during the period,” it said.
The 2014 season is predicted to experience normal rainfall from the onset across the country except in places like Gusau and Yola in the North, Shaki and Abeokuta in the South-west, which are predicted to experience delayed onset.