Sequel to NiMet’s predictions of early rainfall this year, farmers in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina say they are weighing their options.

In their responses to a survey, the farmers said considering their past experiences, appropriate timing of when to start planting crops was paramount.

While others said early planting of crops was a wise idea, others argued otherwise because there could be period of ‘dry spell’ or excessive rain.

They, however, urged the authorities to play their part by ensuring the provision of farm inputs early enough to enable farmers take appropriate decision as to when to commence planting.

Agriculture research institutes were challenged to produce seeds that could suit the changing pattern of the rainy season.

In Kaduna, farmers said they would exercise caution in deciding when to commence planting.

They noted that early or late planting of crops had its advantages and disadvantages, saying the situation and rain pattern must be followed carefully.

Auwal Abdulahi, the chairman of the Maize Farmers Cooperative Society, said farmers who commenced planting early last year following similar NiMet predictions, lost 70 per cent of their crops due to excessive downpour.

”This year, we will consider our past experience and observe the situation before we commence planting; we have our fears in planting early, so we would wait for the rains to start proper,” he said.

Joshua Mallam, farmer and member of Masanawa Cooperative Society, said it was not advisable to plant early as crops would not get the needed moisture required to develop any break in rainfall, after early commencement, would result in damage to crops, and result in losses.

However, he said with the right intervention from government, farmers could argument any fluctuation in rainfall to boost yields.

Bage Bungwon, the Agricultural Services director in Kaduna agric ministry, said farmers could start clearing farmlands and wait for tillage and planting when rainfall became steady.

“They should plant smartly, or wait till the month of May to plant their crops, when NiMet said the rainy season will stabilise,” he stated.

But Salisu Yahaya, a farmer in Kudan, said early commencement of rain was a blessing, and that there should be no cause for fear if the right crops were planted.

Farmers in Katsina asked the government for fertiliser and other farm inputs to begin early farming activities.

The farmers said the call became imperative sequel to the prediction of early rainfall in some parts of the country in 2023.

They observed that when the rainy season commenced early, it also usually ended early.

Tukur Yunusa, a farmer, said provision of farm inputs in good time would enable them plan well and adjust to the predictions made by experts.

He argued that early rainfall might not have any negative affect on crops if the farmers planned well, warning that any delay in planting could result in disappointment.

“If farmers delay planting until the month of May or June, there could be problems; they need to follow the weather and plant the crops because time is of the essence,” he said.

An expert in agriculture, Nasir Umaru, said the change in the rainfall pattern might not affect crops production, provided that farmers also planted crops at the right time.

He said early rainfall was not a new thing because planting period had been changing from time-to-time.

Mr Umaru then urged agriculture research institutions to come up with improved seeds that would suit the changing pattern of rainfall.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria in Kano, Abdulrasheed Rimin-Gado, advised farmers not to rush into planting because of the perceived early rains this year.

Instead, the AFAN chairman enjoined them to prepare their farmlands and start planting from the month of May, when rainy season would have stabilised. He also advised the government on timely distribution of fertiliser to ensure good harvest and food security.

The chairman also called on fderal, state and local government authorities to take measures that would help in reducing the high cost of fertiliser.

(NAN)