The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), on Thursday in Abuja predicted that there would be early rainfall in most states this year. Dr Anthony Anuforom, the Director-General of the agency, said this at the public presentation of the `2009 Annual Rainfall Prediction for Nigeria'.``Rainfall will be early in most states of Nigeria and farmers should stand ready to plant as soon as favourable sowing conditions are established,'' he said.Anuforom stated that the rains would begin between February 18 and April 10 in the southwest, south-south and southeast geographical zones. According to him, the rains will begin on April 20 to May 20 in the north central and May 20 to June 20 in the northeast and northwest zones.He noted that the length of the rainy season, which would be near normal, would be about 220 to 260 days in the southwest, south-south and southeast zones. This, he added, would shrink to between 100 and 180 days in the northeast and northwest zones.The NIMET boss said that crop yield was expected to be favourable, provided other conditions of farming were met. ``It is advised that governments at different levels, should procure seedlings and distribute to farmers in time, while excess grains should be bought directly fromfarmers for storage. ``While 2009 is predicted to be a favourable cropping season, the impact of rainstorms may be severe in the south and will affect river catchments and dam basins in the north,'' he said.The agency also predicted that the cessation of the rains for the year would be between October and December all over the country. Anuforom explained that the cessation was crucial since it affects non-irrigated agricultural production and irrigation demand from dry season crops.The weatherman said that the cessation period was calculated, based on a daily analysis of the soil water balance. He said that the weather forecasts were statements of probability and should be applied as such.Anuforom added that ``as in scientific work, there is nearly always some margin of error due to limitations in available knowledge.'' |
