Several parts of Jigawa State on Friday witnessed the much-awaited first rainfall of 2025, marking the official beginning of the wet season across the state.

The rainfall, which occurred in almost all local government areas and communities, has prompted farmers to begin preparations for the cultivation season. This development comes earlier than anticipated, as the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) had predicted that rainfall would be fully established in the state by mid-June 2025.

Malam Abbati, a resident of Dutse and small-scale farmer, expressed his readiness for the farming season. "I had already cleared my farm and was waiting for the rain to start planting. The first rain came early compared to previous years," he said.

However, not all farmers were prepared for the early onset of the rains. Garzali, a resident of Ringim, admitted being caught off guard. "I didn't expect rain this month, that's why I did not prepare my farmland. I thought it would start later in June," he explained.

The Jigawa State Government had previously advised farmers to prepare for the 2025 wet season, following NiMet's release of rainfall predictions and estimated planting dates across Nigeria's agroecological zones.

This early rainfall signals what could be a promising agricultural season for the state, which relies heavily on farming as a major economic activity. Farmers are now expected to accelerate their preparations to take full advantage of the wet season.

Agricultural experts advise farmers to consider the rainfall pattern when selecting crops and planning their planting schedules to maximize yields during this farming season.