[NGA]Nigeria

The previous reporting period from October to January was marked by harvesting activities of the rainfed and irrigated crops, which were completed by the end of January. Satisfactory rainfall throughout the country resulted in an above-average cereal production. In the North‑East, North‑Central and North‑West, agricultural activities continue to suffer from persisting insecurity accompanied by large scale displacement of people. The conflict has blocked access to land and farming inputs and resulted in a loss of crop production.

In general, the country received 90 mm of rainfall (-31%), average temperature was 26.9ºC (-0.4ºC) and the recorded radiation was 1354 MJ/m2. The observed maximum vegetation condition index (VCIx) was 0.98. Due to a decline in precipitation, the biomass production potential was reduced to 313 gDM/m2 (-20%). 

In the southern part of the country, the timely onset of the rainy season created favorable conditions for maize, yams and rice planting.  

Regional analysis

The analysis focused on four agro-ecological zones found in Nigeria: Sudano-Sahelian zone in the north with the driest climate , the Guinean savanna and Derived savanna in the center and the Humid forest zone in the south.

The Sudano-Sahelian zone,

The region received almost zero mm of rainfall and the overall temperature was 26.4ºC (-0.2ºC). Radiation was near average (-1%) at 1371 (MJ/m²). The total estimated biomass production decreased by 33%, and the   CALF was 3% (+89%). 

In the Guinean savanna, the rainfall was 71% below the 15YA, the temperature recorded was 26.5ºC ( -0.1ºC) and the radiation remained constant at 1379 MJ/m². The estimated biomass was 236 g DM/m²  with a 12% decrease and the CALF was 12% (+53%). For the current period, vegetation was generally good as shown by the NDVI graph where values were near the average and the maximum VCI for this region was 0.96.

In the Derived savanna, which is known as the transition zone between the Guinean savanna and Humid forest zones, the rainfall was 84 mm (-28%)  and the temperature was 27.4ºC (-0.4ºC), while the  radiation was 1346 MJ/m² (+3%). Due to a shortage of rainfall, the total biomass production was  reduced by 26 % compared to the 5YA. The cropped land was reduced by -3% and maximum VCIx was 0.82. Vegetation conditions at the national level, based on the NDVI development graph were below average in February only, but subsequently recovered to average values by the end of April. 

The precipitation in the Humid forest zone was 312 mm (-31%) and the temperatures were higher by 0.2ºC. On the other hand, radiation was reduced by 12% from the 15YA. Biomass production was also 12% below average. The CALF remain constant at 98% and the maximum VCI was 0.95. NDVI trended below average from January up to March and then shifted closer to average in April.

(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) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI (derived Savanna (left) and Humid forest zone (right)

Country agro-climatic indicators by sub‐national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA, January to April 2020

Country agronomic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departures,  January  to April2020