Abuja — The Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP) has embarked on massive sensitisation of farmers on weather and climate change.

Dr Aliyu Gital, the BSADP Programme Manager, said in Bauchi on Monday that the programme was aimed at promoting good farming practices.Gital said the programme was also designed to caution farmers against planting early in the rainy season.

"It is desirable for farmers to commence planting by the end of May to avoid recording losses at harvest," he said.The Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) had indicated that Bauchi would record more than 150 days of rain this year.

The statistics also indicated that the rain would commence on May 22 and end Oct. 25.Meanwhile, residents of Bauchi metropolis have heaved a sigh of relief from the excruciating heat, following a heavy downpour on Saturday which lasted for about 40 minutes.

The rise in the temperature to over 39 degrees Celsius in the past few weeks had exposed residents of the area to excruciating heat, forcing them to sleep outside.

The hot weather, coupled with the erratic power supply had also made life unbearable for the residents.With the rains, farmers in the surrounding villages have started clearing their farms in preparation for the commencement of the planting season. (NAN)