Late Rain Fall Worries Farmers

Anxiety has gripped farmers in Kano State over the late arrival of rainfall for the commencement of the 2011 planting season.

A survey by our correspondent in some parts of the state revealed that the farmers were restive about the situation, which they fear might affect this year’s harvest.

One of the farmers, Malam Abdul Ibrahim, told our correspondent at Yargaya village near Kano, that he was apprehensive about the lack of rains for the planting of crops.

“Last year by this time, we had already planted our crops; in fact, many of us had started harrowing and ridging the farms; but this year, we are yet to witness any sufficient rainfall,” Ibrahim who grows millet, sorghum and beans, lamented.

Another farmer, Usaini Hudu, said that he had conveyed manure to his farm located at Jido village about one month ago in preparation for the season, but that the late arrival of rains was discouraging him from making further efforts on the farm.

“I Pray that the rains come in full to enable us plant our crops so that we will have good harvest.

“It will ease our present hardships caused by high prices of foodstuff,” Hudu said.

It was gathered that most parts of the state had witnessed only two rainfalls so far while heavy rainfalls were recorded in towns and villages in the neighbouring Kaduna State which further increased the anxiety of the farmers.