Nationwide the period was marked by high rainfall (1029 mm, 8% departure above average), temperature at 24°C ( down 0.4°C from average) and radiation at 1068 MJ/m2 (-1%). The maximum vegetation condition index VCIx was 0.94. Biomass production potential rose by 3% and cropped area was at 94 % of CALF with 1% increase compared to five year average. Except in October, the NDVI development graphs show values below average. Based on the maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx), condition was favorable across the country but improved a lot compared to the previous period especially in the northwest and north-eastern region (in States like Borno, Yobe Zamfara, Sokoto and Katsina).

This period was mostly marked by crop harvesting for main season and second sowing for irrigated crops. In north-eastern part, there was harvesting for rice and maize, millet, sorghum whereas sowing was taking place in lowland for second season of maize and irrigated rice. North-east Sahel crops like millet sesame and cow-peas were at harvesting stage too. In Chad basin  a Second sowing of both irrigated maize and rice season took place. Northwest and central rain fed maize, rice and sorghum soybean were also at harvesting stage. On the other hand, important crops  like groundnuts, sesame, sweet potatoes and vegetable were still in the at growing stage in this region

In the south-east of the country harvest of main season and sowing for the second season were ongoing for both irrigated rice and maize and planting of dominant tubers like cassava among others. In south west rain fed rice and maize were being harvested and sweet potatoes yams and groundnuts were still  in the field.

Regional analysis

Nigeria agro-ecological zones (AEZ) are characterized by rainfall gradient from north to south; first comes the Sudano-Sahelian zone in north, Guinean savanna then Derived savanna in the center and finally the wet Humid forest zone.

The Sudano-Sahelian zone recorded average rainfall (RAIN at 452 mm), and temperature (TEMP) was 27.5 ºC with a -0.4ºC departure. The radiation was 1185 (MJ/m2), down 1% from the average. The total estimated biomass production increased by 10 % while CALF at 85% rises by3%; the cropping intensity was 67%. Generally vegetation condition was favorable and improved compared to last year.

The Guinean savanna zone recorded average rainfall of 833 mm; both temperature and radiation dropped below average (0.5ºC and 2% respectively).  The biomass was 728 gDM/m2, up 1% above the average and the cropped land remained constant (CALF 99 %) the same value as in the previous period of April up to July. The maximum VCI for this region was 0.94 but NDVI values were down below average.  Cropping intensity was 106% (double cropping) with a 2% increase over 5YA.

The Derived savanna received 1174 mm of rainfall, up 12% over average, and recorded TEMP at 23.9ºC, a declined of 0.3ºC. The radiation was 1031 (MJ/m2), 1 % less than average. Despite of 12%  increase of rainfall the total biomass production 669 (gDM/m2) fell by -2 %,and CALF remained constant (99 %, referred to the five-year average) and maximum VCI reached 0.97. The AEZ is known as maize belt: there was sowing for irrigated maize and harvest of rainfed maize for the main season. In this AEZ, the current Cropping intensity was 144% with a decrease of 4%. Concerning other important crops in this zone, there was harvesting of Yams, soybean  cassava and sesame were still at greening stage.

The Humid forest zone recorded 1756mm of rainfall, almost 9% above average and  the temperature was  about average at 24.0ºC. Radiation was down by 1% whereas the biomass was increased by 9%.

The CALF and VCI were both high (97% and 0.95, respectively). NDVI below average throughout the period does not reflect poor vegetation condition as long as VCIx is high. In this AEZ, it was harvesting time for main season of rain-fed maize and sowing in irrigated rice and maize for second season. We can mention also planting time of important tubers like cassava in the South-east and the harvest of rainfed rice and maize in the South-west. Other important crops like sweet potatoes yams and groundnuts were still growing. High rainfall and the equatorial climate allow double cropping: 182 % with a slight 1% drop.

(a) Phenology of main Crop

(b) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI            (c) Maximum VCI

(d) Rainfall index                                                                   (e)Temperature index

(f) Spatial NDVI patterns compared to 5YA                   (g) NDVI profiles

 (h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (Soudano‐Sahelian region (left) and Guinean savanna (right)

(i) Cropping Intensity

Table 3.65. Nigeria’s agroclimatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values, and departure from 15YA, July-October 2019

Table 3.66. Nigeria’s agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA/5YA, July-October 2019