By Obiabin Onukwugha
Farmers in Okolomade Community in Abua/Odual local government area of Rivers State are lamenting that harsh weather conditions are destroying their food crops.
According to the farmers, for several years they have lost their farm products to flooding, but now harsh wind is adding to their woes.
As a rain forest, Rivers State experience substantial amount of rains on yearly basis. However, it has been observed that this year’s rains have been associated with heavy winds that destroy food crops such as plantain and Bananas.
One of the farmers, Ero, told NatureNews reporter that he has lost substantial part of his plantation to excess wind.
He lamented that the trees which served as wind breakers before now were no longer there as a result of massive deforestation in the area.
Ero said: “Before now we cried of flood but now heavy winds are destroying our farms. Last year we were lucky that the flood didnt get to our farms. We were supposed to make substantial income this year, but with the way the winds is uprooting our plantains and bananas that is no longer possible.”
When asked, Ero said he is not aware of climate change but submitted that he has observed change in weather patterns.
“I don’t know whether it is called climate change, but all I can say is that these days the suns is always excess just as the rains are also excess,” he stated.
Another farmer, Madam Thankyou, also corroborated her experience. She said the most painful part is that most of the affect banana and plantains have immature fruits on them.
“My plantations are my major source of income, aside cassava but the wind this year is destroying most of them.
“Some of them have just stated producing fruits when the winds came to uproot them. Before now I usually cut sticks to wedge most of them.
“If this wind continues we may not have banana and plantain to sell this year and that will be detrimental to me.and my family,” she stated.
It was also observed that trees with shallow roots such as palm trees are not spared as the winds sweep through whenever it rains.
For some trees, their branches are not spared, as the winds break them off thus posing a threat to farmers whenever it is raining.