Farmers face rice, beans, millet harvest loss as rain fails to fall
Nigerian farmers have decried water scarcity that has hit rice, beans and millet farms across the North.
In an interview, Idris Musa Sarkin Noman Abakwa, Kaduna, said he was afraid that local farmers might lose their crops due to lack of rainfall in the past three weeks.
As the rainy season stopped, many local farmers feared crops yet to mature might be lost without adequate water, Mr Abakwa.
According to him, floods and other ecological challenges have affected this year’s bumper harvest, causing scarcity of crops and food items in the markets.
A two-week survey conducted by a team of volunteer environmental journalists from various media outlets across the 19 northern states showed how many local farmers farming along the Riverbanks were forced to use irrigation to save their crops.
Mr Abakwa explained that most of the crops on his farmland had started drying up gradually, which was a sign of a huge loss for him.
According to him, beans, rice, millet, and sorghum farmers battle to salvage their crops. Some of them were forced to hire generators to pump water from waterways or rivers to their farms.
He further explained that most farmers across the North practised subsistence farming, few practised mechanised farming.
Mr Abakwa added that many farmers did not start planting their crops on time due to the nature of this year’s rainy season.
He mentioned the need to educate more farmers on averting the damage to their crops and other harvests.
The farmer called on state and federal governments to embark on sensitisation of farmers on the latest farming techniques to join the world in the fight against hunger and inadequate food in the market.
Piman Hoffman, the director, African climate reporters, cited climate change as posing numerous threats to animal farming operations.
According to him, climate change can disrupt food availability, reduce access to food, and affect food quality.
He also called on governments to redouble their efforts towards sensitising rural farmers about climate change and adapting to new farming systems.
(NAN)
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
States
Only nine women among 60 candidates for Kaduna Reps seats
Nine women are among 60 candidates contesting for House of Representatives seats in six Kaduna constituencies ahead of the 2027 elections.
Agriculture
FG distributes fertilisers to 5,040 Bauchi farmers
The federal government distributed fertilisers to 5,040 farmers in Bauchi State under the National Agricultural Development Fund.
Economy
Nigeria secures global recognition for measurement standards
Nigeria has secured international recognition for its measurement standards after the Standards Organisation of Nigeria signed a global arrangement.
Politics
Kaduna: Only three women among 33 candidates for Kaduna senatorial seats
In Kaduna North senatorial district, Jennifer Agbaje of the Young Progressives Party is the only woman among the 12 candidates contesting the seat.
Economy
1.2 billion Nigerians, others living in multidimensional poverty: UNDP Report
Of the 1.2 billion, more than half are children. The report stated that 617 million children still lack access to education, electricity, clean water, etc.
Economy
Nigeria unveils 65 investment opportunities to boost growth, jobs
Nigeria has unveiled 65 investment opportunities across key sectors to attract domestic and foreign investments, create jobs and accelerate economic growth.
