The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has predicted that growing season in Nigeria this year will be shorter with the northern part of the country having about 100 days of growing season while the southern part will have over 287 days of growing season.
Disclosing this yesterday at the 2017 Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) in Abuja, the Director General of NIMET, Prof AbubakarMashi noted that the onset dates of the growing season is predicted to run from 25 February over the coastal States to 16 June in the far north.
He stated that onset is predicted to be normal in many areas, “a shorter length of season is predicted for many areas in 2017” adding that, parts of the northwest will experience early rainfall.
Mashi said food production is expected to be less than normal due to shorter growing season length over large parts of the country. “This may be compensated by projection of up to 10% additional rains over large parts of the savannas, Nigeria’s food basket for cereals. Agricultural traders as well as post-harvest technology providers’ needs to note early cessation of rain in the northern parts and some parts in the south.”
He warned that, the warmer-than normal conditions predicted for the northern parts of the country from January to April 2017 may lead to water stress and outbreak of heat-related diseases among people and livestock.
The DG said the predicted normal temperature conditions in the coastal region are expected to boost fish production in 2017, however, Mashi warned that road users in Sokoto, Zamfara, Kwara, Oyo, Ogun and Adamawa states to be more careful during the early rains and in times of the high intensity rainfall as they usually lead to slippery roads and flash floods, which constitutes safety hazards to road users.
He explained that rainfall amount is predicted to range from 400mm (Yobe) -3100mm (coastal areas) in 2017. Mashi noted that the predicted rainfall amount is expected to be below normal over Yobe, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe, Kebbi, Plateau, Taraba, Benue, Kogi, northern part of Cross River and some of the coastal areas.
While unveiling this year’s SRP, the Minister of state for Aviation, HadiSirika stated that the presentation of the Seasonal Rainfall Prediction (SRP) is an important annual activity undertaken by NIMET towards discharging its statutory responsibility of providing weather and climate services for activities in all sectors of the economy.
Sirika noted that, NIMET is the only Agency by law saddle with the responsibility to provide accurate and precise weather and climate services and also advised government on all aspect of meteorology.
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