A civic group, Kwara Must Change (KMC), has blamed a major farming disaster in Asa communities on what it describes as a flawed Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) 2025 Seasonal Climate Prediction (SCP), which thousands of farmers relied on for planting decisions.

Speaking yesterday, the group's convener, Abdulrazaq Hamzat, called the forecast "a huge failure," warning of severe consequences for food security, rural livelihoods, and farmer confidence across the region.

NiMet had projected that rainfall in Asa would begin on 7 May and end on 18 November—providing nearly 195 days of growing season. However, the actual weather pattern deviated drastically.

After initial rains in May, precipitation stopped abruptly in June, vanished entirely in July, and returned only twice in August. Consistent rainfall did not resume until September, leaving a devastating three-month dry spell during the critical crop growth period.

The unprecedented drought destroyed farmlands across Asa Local Government Area, wiping out investments made in land preparation, seedlings, and fertilisers. Many farmers are now facing total losses, describing the season as "the worst in living memory."

KMC is calling for an independent review of NiMet's forecasting methodology and urgent support for affected farming communities.

KMC, which monitors governance and social development in Kwara, expressed alarm at the scale of devastation, accusing NiMet of failing the very farmers it was meant to support.

Hamzat said the "forecasting failure" went beyond scientific error and bordered on policy negligence. His words: "NiMet's failure to capture the critical three-month cessation of rain between June and August is not just a technical oversight, but a disaster of national importance. Agriculture is the lifeline of Kwara's rural economy, and when institutions fail at such a critical point, the consequences are far-reaching."

The group demanded an urgent explanation from both NiMet and the Federal Government, insisting that farmers deserve accountability and corrective measures to prevent a repeat of the crisis.

It also urged the Kwara State government to provide immediate relief packages for the affected farmers, warning that food shortages and worsening poverty could result if support is delayed.

In addition, the group called for the establishment of localised weather monitoring systems across the state to complement national forecasts, arguing that grassroots data could improve reliability and restore farmer confidence.