Farmers in some northern
part of the country have expressed worry that the delay in the rainfall experienced this year may affect food production in the country.
Meteorologists had predicted that some northern parts of the country would experience delay in the arrival of rains this cropping season, while they were also advised not to rush to plant.
Some of the farmers told newsmen that most farmers are yet to commence planting due to lack of adequate rainfall.
They said the situation posed serious threat to food production in the region this year.
One of the farmers, Malam Baushe Talle, said: “rain is a factor in plant growth, therefore, the greater the rainfall, the faster the seed grows and the higher the yield.”
Another farmer, Malam Musa Abdu, stressed the need for government to provide farmers in the region with drought resistant seeds, to avert crop failure and ensure bumper harvest.
“Farmers should also be educated on different farming techniques because of this kind of situation,” he said.
In his contribution, Malam Lawan Kado, advised government to reduce the effects of potential food shortage by buying the surplus directly from farmers.
‘’So if there is a shortage of food, the stored ones can be sold at cheaper prices in order to ensure that food prices remain affordable and stable,’’ he said.
Malam Musa Dogara and Malam Maiwada Karaukarau, canvassed for adequate budgetary allocation to the agriculture sector to ensure easy access to facilities and farm inputs required to sustain massive production.
According to them, such provision would ensure prompt supply of fertilisers, chemicals, improved seeds and farming implements, as well as credit facilities to farmers.
Commenting on the issue, the Secretary, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Alhaji Garba Bichi, advised farmers in the northern states to plant their crops as soon as the rains start.
“Farmers should not wait for heavy downpour before they start planting because if they plant early, crops will mature before the rain stops,’’ he said.
Bichi urged farmers to embrace dry season farming as solution to inadequate or delayed rainfall.
“In fact farmers must embrace irrigation in order to augment the shortfall during wet season farming,” Bichi added.
In his comment, Chairman, Kaduna state Commercial Agriculture Association, Malam Nuhu Umar, said timely provision of farming inputs including seeds and fertiliser, was key to sustainable agricultural production in the country.