Flooding: Rivers Farmers Begin Re-Planting Process

Following the heavy
down pour more than a forthnight ago that devastated farmlands across Rivers State, affected farmers have begun the process of replanting.
According to investigations by our correspondent recently in some local government areas of the state, farmers were seen going about the business of replanting.
Unfortunately for the farmers, according to the findings, the crops destroyed by the heavy down-pour were yet to reach maturity, hence, the need to replant.
According to the community Development Committee Chairman of Aminigboko Community in the Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Chukwudi Georgewill, farmers there were worst hit by the floods.
He explained that coupled with the insecurity due to the activities of cultists in the area, farming activities were halted.
He said the few that ventured into farming had it rough as their farms were totally lost to the rains.
Regrettably, Georgewill said most of the community people were yet to return.
Also, while speaking to The Tide the Presdient of Etche farmers cooperatives society, Mr. Godwin Akandu said farmers in his area were having a difficult time in the replanting process.
He explained that the farmers lacked new and improved cassava, seedlings, fertilizers and other agric inputs.
According to Akandu, the replanting process was not only capital intensive, but also involves physical strength.
“My brother, the farmers do not have enough money to engage labour apart from the fact that most of them do the manual aspect of the replanting with their immediate families”, he said.
It could be recalled that a forthnight ago, an unexpected heavy downpour submerged farms across the state with Abua/Odual, Etche, Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni, Ahoada East and West and Emohua LGAs amongst others most affected Rivers farmers in replanting process after the down pour.