NIMET warns Oyo farmers against early planting after ‘deceptive’ February rains
NIMET advises farmers to wait for soil moisture to reach 50% and for rains expected between April 15 and end of April before planting; government support and security concerns were discussed.
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) has warned farmers in Oyo State not to plant early, calling recent February rains 'deceptive.' The advisory was issued by Oyo State Meteorological Manager Emmanuel Udoh during a 2026 weather forecast briefing in Ibadan.
NIMET projects the onset of the 2026 rainy season in Oyo State between April 15 and the end of April. The agency uses soil moisture reaching 50% as the operational indicator for the onset — the level it considers sufficient for crops to access water for growth and nutrition.
Udoh warned that pockets of recent rainfall across the state do not constitute suitable planting conditions and urged farmers to follow the agency's official advisories covering all 33 local government areas.
Oyo State Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Olasunkanmi Olaleye said the state will continue to prioritise agricultural development. He noted that weather advisories are intended to guide farmers on planting timing and support informed decision‑making in the field.
Olaleye highlighted recent government support measures: in 2025 roughly 12,000 bags of fertilizer were distributed to farmers and ploughing costs were subsidised for about 30,000 hectares. Farmer representatives at the briefing asked the government to strengthen security to prevent kidnappings and attacks by roaming herders that damage farms.
Abass Adewunmi, chairman of the All Farmers Association in Oyo State, called for decisive action to resolve farmer‑herder conflicts and urged cassava growers to plant more despite a recent drop in prices. Pa Bamiji Alabi, a farmers' leader in Akinyele Local Government Area, stressed the need for timely delivery of inputs and other support to avoid setbacks in the upcoming season.