Farmers Warned Not To Start Planting

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMet) has said the recent and first rainfall of the year 2016 in Lagos, was not early rain because it would not continue, and there would also be period without any rainfall in the early weeks.

Aside this, Chief Meteorologist, NIMet, Forecast Office Ikeja, Lagos, Mr. Adewale Ajuyomi, stated that farmers should not use this rain to plant their seeds. The rain would definitely cease for, at least, 21 to 30 days before the main raining season for the year.

The Chief Meteorologist revealed in a chat with The Guardian, in Lagos, that though the 2016 yearly Seasonal Rainfall Prediction is not yet out, farmers should get ready, as that should soon be released.

However, Ajuyomi explained the recent rain is called pre-monsoon rains, which means first rain of the year, a prelude to the raining season. He narrated last year rain started late as it was forecast due to el–nino effect in meteorology and this year likely, rain would start at the normal period.

He lamented Nigerians do not value rainfall predictions, but in developed countries, people hardly go out without having details of weather forecast. Weather prediction, the Chief meteorologist, said is very important because weather affects the ordinary man on the street.