The best time to plant sorghum in Nigeria is the rainy season months of April – August. Sorghum should be planted between April – May in the southern part of Nigeria. In the northern part of Nigeria, sorghum should be planted between May – August.
For farmers that use irrigation, sorghum c an be planted anytime as they are sure of the supply of water. For irrigated farmers, the best time to plant sorghum can be anytime in the year.
The best time to plant sorghum in Nigeria should be based on factors like temperature, level of rainfall, the availability of irrigation, pests and diseases and availability of labour etc.
The best time to plant sorghum across the climatic zones of Nigeria
The best time to plant sorghum across the climatic zones of Nigeria is discussed below:
Mangrove Swamp Forest Zone
Sorghum will not grow well in the mangrove swamp forest zone of Nigeria because it is humid and warm almost all year round.
Rain Forest Zone
The best time to plant sorghum in the rain forest belt in Nigeria is April – May.
Guinean Savannah Zone
The best time to plant sorghum in the Guinea Savannah belt in Nigeria is May– August.
Sudan Savannah Zone
The best time to plant sorghum in the Sudan Savannah belt in Nigeria is May– August.
Sahel Savannah Zone
The best time to plant sorghum in the Sahel Savannah belt in Nigeria is June– August.
Factors that can affect the time to plant sorghum in Nigeria
The following factors can affect the time to plant sorghum in Nigeria:
Temperature
Sorghum can grow well in tropical conditions. This is why sorghum can do well in Nigeria. Sorghum can witstand the range of temperature in Nigeria. It can really do well in the Sahel region of Nigeria which can be very hot in the dry season.
The availability of water
The availability of water can affect the time to plant sorghum in Nigeria. Sprinklers, spray tubes and center pivots are some of the irrigation systems that can be used to irrigate sorghum crop.
Intensity of pests and diseases
The intensity of pests and diseases can also affect the time to plant sorghum in Nigeria. Sorghum is a hadry crop, it can tolerate a wide range of pests and diseases.
Availability of labour
The availability of labour can also affect the time to plant sorghum. At a particular time of the year, the availability of labour can be very high while at some other time, labour can be scarce.
Should you wish to know the best time to plant sorghum, kindly contact us through sales@veggieconcept.ng.
Buy our sorghum seeds here.
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Read our blog post on sorghum producing states in Nigeria