This report covers the dry season of Nigeria. The harvesting of last year's second maize and irrigated rice crops ended in January. The sowing of maize started in March in the main and southern areas while the sowing of rainfed rice started in April. 

The CropWatch agroclimatic indicators showed that the rainfall was below the 15YA (-20%) and the average temperature was lower than the 15YA (-0.6°C). Significant rains started in mid-April only, causing a delay in the start of the growing season, as can be seen in the development of the NDVI curve. Solar radiation increased by 2%. Due to the decline of rainfall, the BIOMSS was below the 15YA (-2%).

According to the crop condition development graph based on NDVI, the NDVI of the country was near the 5YA at the start and the end of this period, and below the 5YA in the middle of this period. The maximum VCI graph showed that the lower values appeared mainly in the northern area and the higher value appeared mainly in the middle and southwestern area. As shown in the spatial NDVI profiles and distribution map, 56.6% of the total cropped areas were near the 5YA during the whole period mainly in the middle and northern area of the country. About 30.2% of the total cropped areas were slightly below the 5YA during the whole period, mainly in the middle area of the country. In the southern area of the country, the NDVI was below the 5YA in March and April. Overall, the crop conditions in most areas were near the average at the end of this monitoring period.

Regional Analysis

The analysis focuses on four major agroecological zones in the country, i.e., Sudan-Sahel savanna region across the northern region, Guinea savanna and Derived savanna within the central region and Humid forest situated towards the southern region.

The Sudan-Sahel savanna zone is located in northern Nigeria. The agro-climatic condition showed that rainfall decreased by 63% and the overall temperature decreased by 0.9°C. The radiation increased by 0.4%. The BIOMSS was above the 15YA (+8%). The CALF was 2% and the maximum VCI was 0.72. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions in the zone were near average from January to April.

The Guinea savanna region is predominantly located in the central region of the country. Compared to the 15YA, TEMP decreased by 0.6°C, RAIN decreased by 17%, RADPAR was 1% above the 15YA, and BIOMSS was above the 15YA (+4%). The CALF was 9% and the maximum VCI was 0.80.  According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions in the region were near average from January to February and below average from March to April.

The Derived savanna region is a transition zone between the Guinea savanna and Humid forest zones. Rainfall increased by 2% and the temperature decreased by 0.7°C. The radiation increased by 3% compared to the 15YA and the BIOMSS decreased by 3% compared to the 15YA. The CALF was 71% and the maximum VCI was 0.88. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions in the region were near the average in January and below average from February to April.

The Humid forest zone is in the southern area of the country. The rainfall decreased by 30% and the average temperature was near the 15YA (-0.1°C). The radiation increased by 2% and the BIOMSS decreased by 12%. The CALF was 96% and the maximum VCI was 0.87. According to the NDVI development graph, crop conditions in the zone were near the average in January and below average from February to April.

Figures 3.33 Nigeria's crop condition, January-April 2022

(a) Phenology of major crops

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

(d) Spatial NDVI pattern compared to 5YA and NDVI profiles

(e) Time series temperature profile                                                   (f) Time series rainfall profile

(g) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI(Left:Sudan-Sahel savanna, Right: Guinean savanna)

(h) Crop condition development graph based on NDVI(Left:Derived savanna, Right:Humid forest)

Table 3.59 Nigeria's agro-climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season's values and departure from 15YA. January-April 2022

Table 3.60 Nigeria’s agro-climatic indicators by sub-national regions, current season’s values and departure from 5YA. January-April 2022