Why do we need to grow food all year round?
Human population keep increasing and demand for food is alarming.
Developing country like Nigeria needs an adequate food production system and applicable sustainable innovation approach. Hence, all year-round food production is a necessity.
Dry season farming Choice of crops?
The choice of seeds and crops variety are depended to farmer’s specific agricultural ecological zone.
Nigeria Agricultural–ecological zone encompasses six different agrarian ecological zone ranging from, Sahel Savannah, Sudan Savannah, Guinea Savannah, Derived Savannah, Mangrove Swamp and Tropical rainforest.Crops variety such as, tomatoes, cucumber, pepper, green pea, lettuce, cabbage and onions can be grown during dry season. {seeds variety for dry season}
Dry-Season Farming Soil Fertility Management
Improving soil fertility under a sustainable agriculture practices approach include Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM), Good Agronomic Practices (GAP) and Soil routine check.
Soil Routine Check is one of fundamental soil test analysis expected to be adopted by every farmer prior to crop production.
The routine soil analysis describe the soil pH (acidity /alkalinity), Electrical conductivity (checking salt build-up), organic matter content (Organic carbon), essential nutrient elements which includes: primary macronutrients (Nitrogen, Potassium & Phosphorus), secondary macronutrients (Calcium, Magnesium & Sulphur) and micronutrients (Boron, Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Molybdenum, Chlorine & Nickel).
Silent point: The tomatoes farmer might experience general poor growth performance as a result of soil salinity which can be prevented prior to crop production if basic soil analysis such as routine check has been earlier conducted.
Retaining soil moisture and improving the soil nutrient
In respect to the prevailing weather condition as a result of climate change, plants tend to experience abiotic stress, Hence, reducing the high rate of evapotranspiration and improving soil nutrient is an important two steward skills needed to be learned by all farmers.
Seven keys take away on improving soil moisture and nutrient.
- Improving soil structure through addition & maintenance of soil organic matter.
- Adopting of organic mulching
- Selection of appropriate irrigation equipment
- Maintaining appropriate irrigation frequency and duration
- Adoption of bio stimulant spray
- Adoption of natural crop shade
- Regular soil routine checks and water test.
In conclusion, growing crops during the dry season can be challenging, improving soil fertility and moisture, and adopting appropriate cropping systems such as crop rotation are vital to a successful dry season farming production. Hence, continuous studying of the relative weather condition of a growing environment is important and farmers should be ready to update their grow-guide knowledge, skills, and attitude, to achieve a bountiful harvest and a good farming experience.
Co-authors: Yusuf. A. A., Felicity Kido, Dr. Chaka B. , Abdulbasir.A
For further reading: check out the 2025 Agric Informative Season Event
