The Institute for Agricultural Research, Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has advised farmers in the North West part of the country to plant early-maturing seed varieties in compliance with the NIMET prediction for 2024 rainfall season.
Prof. Ado Yusuf, executive director of the institute, who gave the advice while interacting with newsmen in Zaria, said NIMET had predicted that the 2024 wet season would be dryer than normal, while some few states would witness early rainfall.
He also stated that most states in the northern part will witness late onset, explaining that the first rain was different from the onset of the season.
Prof. Yusuf said based on the prediction, there could be a dry spell which may be extended beyond two weeks, especially in the northern states.
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“Farmers should delay a little before they commence planting until it is well established to avoid replanting; it was also predicted that there will be an early cessation of rainfall in so many places.
“In some places, the last rain may come around the first or second week of October, which means the length of the rainy season is short; farmers should go for short-duration crops,’’ he said.
He added that the North Central states that produce roots and tubers may also experience similar challenges. Farmers in the area should adopt diversification.
Yusuf said since the duration of the rain is going to be short, farmers in the North Central states should diversify with cereals.
The director advised farmers, especially in the North Western states, to adopt moisture conservation techniques such as ridges.
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