Crops to Plant in December in Nigeria | Dry Season Farming

December is one of the best months to start dry-season farming in Nigeria. The rains are gone, pests are fewer, and market prices are usually higher between December and April because food supply drops. If you set up your farm in December with the right crops and irrigation, you’ll be harvesting when everyone else is struggling with scarcity.

This guide breaks down exactly what you should plant in December in Nigeria, zone by zone, so you can choose crops that match your climate, water availability and income goals.

Why December Is a Smart Month for Planting

December gives you three major advantages:

Market scarcity – Prices rise for vegetables, grains and cash crops early into the year.

Better crop control – You can regulate water and reduce moisture-driven diseases.

Ideal for irrigation systems – Drip, sprinkler or furrow irrigation works perfectly during harmattan.

If you’re doing dry season farming in 2025, December is a strategic time to start.

Crops to Plant in December in Nigeria by Geopolitical Zone

1. North Central (Kwara, Niger, Benue, Kogi, Plateau, Nassarawa, FCT)

North Central has good water bodies, fertile soil and a long dry season, making it perfect for high-value vegetables and grains.

Best Crops to Plant in December

• Tomatoes (heat-tolerant, hybrid varieties)
• Sweet pepper and hot pepper
• Onions
• Garden egg
• Cucumber (especially crispy and slicer types)
• Watermelon
• Okra
• Maize (early-maturing varieties)
• Soybeans (irrigated fields)
• Cowpea
• Sweet potatoes
• Irish potatoes (especially Plateau areas)

Why These Crops Work Here

The region has cool early-morning harmattan breezes and longer sunshine hours. Crops like tomatoes and peppers love this weather, and yields can be higher than in rainy season farming.

Irrigation Needed

Drip and sprinkler irrigation are the most cost-effective for vegetables, while maize and potatoes do well with furrow irrigation.

2. North West (Kano, Kaduna, Katsina, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Jigawa)

This is Nigeria’s dry season farming powerhouse. December farming here is profitable and well-supported by dams and irrigation schemes.

Best Crops to Plant in December

• Tomatoes (Roma VF, UC82B, Suntrade)
• Pepper (Shombo, Tatase)
• Onion (red and white varieties)
• Garlic
• Rice (irrigated lowland)
• Wheat
• Carrots
• Cabbage
• Lettuce
• Watermelon
• Sweet melon
• Cucumber
• Maize (irrigated)

Why These Crops Work Here

The zone has low humidity, strong sunlight and irrigation support from major dams like Tiga and Bakolori. Wheat, onions and tomatoes perform exceptionally well in this season.

Irrigation Needed

Gravity irrigation, furrow irrigation and drip irrigation.

3. North East (Borno, Yobe, Adamawa, Gombe, Bauchi, Taraba)

December farming here depends heavily on reliable irrigation due to the sandy soils and strong harmattan winds.

Best Crops to Plant in December

• Tomatoes
• Pepper
• Millet
• Sorghum
• Groundnut
• Cowpea
• Sesame
• Watermelon
• Cucumber
• Rice (irrigated areas)

Why These Crops Work Here

These crops can handle lower humidity and high temperatures. Watermelon and sesame are especially profitable in this region during dry season.

Irrigation Needed

Drip irrigation is the most efficient because it reduces water loss on sandy soils.

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4. South West (Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Osun)

The South West has mild harmattan and reliable water sources. December farming is driven mostly by vegetables and short-cycle crops.

Best Crops to Plant in December

• Amaranthus (green leafy vegetables)
• Ugu (fluted pumpkin)
• Waterleaf
• Cucumber
• Pepper
• Tomatoes (heat-tolerant)
• Okra
• Maize
• Cassava (moisture zones)
• Yam seed planting
• Plantain suckers
• Pineapple

Why These Crops Work Here

Humidity is still moderate in many parts, which helps leafy vegetables grow fast under irrigation. Farmers near Lagos, Ibadan and Akure enjoy higher demand.

Irrigation Needed

Drip irrigation for vegetables, sprinklers for leafy crops.

5. South East (Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Imo, Ebonyi)

The zone experiences cool harmattan mornings and warm afternoons, perfect for quick-turn vegetable crops.

Best Crops to Plant in December

• Ugu
• Waterleaf
• Spinach
• Okra
• Pepper
• Tomatoes (heat-tolerant and disease-resistant)
• Cucumber
• Sweet potatoes
• Maize
• Cassava
• Ginger (in humid areas)

Why These Crops Work Here

Vegetables grow very well in December in this zone, and market demand is high in urban hubs like Onitsha and Aba.

Irrigation Needed

Drip irrigation is best for conserving water and improving vegetable quality.

6. South South (Rivers, Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Delta, Edo)

This region maintains some humidity through December, reducing plant stress and supporting leafy crops.

Best Crops to Plant in December

• Ugu
• Waterleaf
• Scent leaf
• Tomatoes (heat-tolerant)
• Pepper
• Cucumber
• Okra
• Maize
• Cassava
• Plantain
• Pineapple

Why These Crops Work Here

The climate stays mild, helping vegetables grow without extreme harmattan stress.

Irrigation Needed

Sprinkler irrigation for leafy crops and drip irrigation for fruiting vegetables.

Top 12 Fast-Growing and Profitable Crops to Plant in December (National Overview)

If you want quick profit anywhere in Nigeria:

• Tomatoes
• Pepper
• Cucumber
• Watermelon
• Ugu
• Waterleaf
• Lettuce
• Cabbage
• Irish potatoes
• Maize
• Okra
• Sesame

These crops give high returns and harvest between February and April when market prices peak.

Essential Tips for Successful December Farming

1. Choose heat-tolerant and drought-resistant varieties

Dry season sun is strong. Go for improved hybrids.

2. Install reliable irrigation before planting

Drip irrigation saves water and increases yield. Sprinklers help leafy vegetables.

3. Use mulch to protect your soil

Mulching reduces heat stress and keeps moisture locked in.

4. Apply fertilizers wisely

Dry season crops respond well to NPK 20-10-10, 15-15-15 and urea.

5. Plan for pests early

Harmattan reduces diseases but whiteflies and thrips increase.

Finally

If your goal is high yield and strong profit in 2025, December is a powerful month to begin dry season farming. Choose crops that match your zone and back them with irrigation. You’ll be harvesting when prices are highest and supply is lowest.