By Faridat Salifu
Fears of low yield has gripped farmers in Gombe State over record of abysmal rainfall as harvest period is fast approaching.
Checks on the farmers at weekend for on the spot assessment of their activities as harvest period approaches revealed that the farming community is deeply concerned as they have been experiencing low rainfall after their planting period.
Mr. Banyula Hala, chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Gombe State, attributed the unprecedented lack of rainfall to the ongoing impacts of climate change, which he claims has severely hindered farming operations in the region.
“Rainfall is a gift from God, and while we cannot control its occurrence, we must find ways to adapt,” Hala said, noting that the current climatic conditions represent a formidable challenge for farmers, jeopardizing the government’s food security measures during this cropping season.
According to him, reports gotten from various farms indicated that rice crops are suffering, with many plants wilting due to insufficient water supply, noting that some waterlogged areas have fared slightly better.
Hala cautioned that, without intervention, the situation is poised to have dire financial repercussions for farmers, particularly in light of rising costs for agricultural inputs.
The AFAN chairman appealed to both the federal and state governments to invest significantly in dry-season farming initiatives to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change.
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He emphasized the necessity of repairing and optimizing the existing dams in the state to enhance irrigation practices among local.
Alhaji Musa Arab, a multi-grain farmer, described the current rainfall deficit as unprecedented for Gombe adding that the lack of rainfall will inevitably affect food availability and farmers’ incomes.
Arab explained that in the last two years, he has adopted drought-resistant crops that require less water, allowing him to navigate the difficulties presented by the weather.
He applauded the government’s moves towards mechanizing agriculture through the provision of tractors and other farming equipment, and called for a collective societal approach to combat climate change, urging citizens to engage in tree planting and conservation efforts to sustain the environment.
Meanwhile, Mr. Daniel Mofunanya, a farmer from the Nasarawo community, lamented the insufficient rainfall this season, describing it as grossly inadequate for agricultural needs.
Reflective of his extensive experience since 1991, Mofunanya noted, “This year has been particularly alarming; I’ve never experience such low rainfall ssince as a farmer; the low rainfall will obviously affect productivity during harvest.
“Typically, before the rainy season ends, many farmers in the state plant twice. Still, we didn’t get enough rain for the first crops we planted in late. Some fields’ crops are dying off and turning yellow, endangering the livelihoods of local residents, Mofunanya explained.
Concerns about a major food crisis in the state and country were expressed by other speakers, who also called for a greater emphasis on irrigation farming.
