The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA) CropWatch report for October had shown mixed outcomes ranging from reduced rainfall, high temperatures and unstable vegetation conditions.
The report was signed by Mrs Helen Awe-Peter, Strategic Space Applications Department, NASRDA on Thursday in Abuja.
The report reviewed Nigeria’s agricultural performance between June and September, which marked the primary growing window for maize, rice and other crops.
CropWatch indicated that the main maize season in the North progressed from June, the sowing season to September for harvesting.
The second maize cycle was harvested in August and replanted in September, while in the South, maize was harvested in July and replanted in August, with growing season stretching through September.
Rice growth, it said, also peaked while irrigated rice was harvested in August and re-sown in September.
It said rain-fed rice was planted in June, mature through July and August before September harvest time.
The report said that the actual rainfall in 2025 fell below both the 15-year average and the 2024/2025 forecasts, showing a dry season.
According to the report, the shortage is expected to impact water availability, irrigation and crop yields.
The report urged farmers to adjust cropping calendars or adopt drought-tolerant crop varieties.
It said that the 2025 season presented significant climatic challenges, with rainfall shortages and rising temperatures affecting crop growth, biomass production and land use.
It recommended strengthened climate-smart agriculture, water management and targeted support to help farmers prepare against the impacts on food production.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NASRDA collaborated with the Aerospace Information Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Science(AIRCAS) in 2023 to commence the implementation of the CropWatch Nigeria Innovative programme.
The programme provides access to a timely food information system, improving crop production using space science and technology.
