Accra, March 18, GNA - The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) on Wednesday advised that the planting period of crops should start four to six weeks this year after the onset of the rainy season where dry spells are expected to be relatively shorter.

A release signed by Mr Michael M. Tanu, Director-General of GMA said the start of the rainy season, which is expected between the first and second week of March will be characterized with long dry spells, especially during the first four-six weeks after the onset. It said the coastal belt stretching from Central Region to Volta Region is expected to experience average rainfall during the major season.

The forest zone which includes parts of the Volta and Central Regions, Ashanti, Brong Ahafo, Eastern, and Western Regions would experience average rainfall amount during the major season, expected to start from the first to the second week of March. The Northern Region of Ghana would experience average rainfall during the rainy season starting from the first week of April. The release said within the first four weeks after the onset, there would be the areas experiencing periods of dry spells of five-10 days. It said the Upper East and Upper West Regions were expected to experience average to above average rainfall during the season and the onset was expected to be the last week of April while dry spells were five -10 days and were likely to occur during the first four weeks after the onset.

The average rainfall amounts in the major season in the year are as follows; coastal belt 710mm (March-October), forest belt 1100mm (March-October), Northern Region 980mm (April-October), Upper East Region 960mm (April-October), Upper West Region 963mm (April-October), the release said. 18 March 09