Rural Communities in Kano State Embrace Innovative Farming Methods to Combat Annual Flooding

By Salifu Faridat

Gishiri Wuya, a village located in the Warawa Local Government Area of Kano State, has found a solution to combat the recurring problem of devastating floods that destroy their farmlands every year.

Local farmers in the region have embraced a semi-dry season farming method to safeguard their crops from being washed away by floods.

At a time when crops would typically be growing, farmers in Gishiri Wuya are already seen harvesting their produce, primarily consisting of rice and maize.

The village suffered severely during the 2022 floods, resulting in the destruction of farms and forcing residents to relocate.

According to the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Kano State lost 14,496 farmlands across 16 Local Government Areas (LGAs) to floods in 2022, with Gishiri Wuya alone accounting for 2,248 farmlands spread across hundreds of hectares.

In response to these annual flooding disasters, farmers in the area have made a significant investment in dry-season farming.

Despite the higher costs involved, this approach guarantees a bountiful harvest outside the traditional rainy season, effectively mitigating the risks posed by floods.

Moreover, this shift to dry-season farming is a proactive measure to combat the effects of climate change, which have disrupted rainfall patterns and increased the frequency of flooding.

By allocating over 70% of their capital to dry-season farming, the farmers aim to reduce their vulnerability to flooding and hunger, even if it means allocating less than 30% of their resources to the rainy season.

Shuaibu Sa’idu, one of the affected farmers, shared his experience from the previous year when he lost his entire farm, including two acres of rice that were expected to yield 70 to 80 sacks. This year, he has already harvested 49 sacks from one acre and anticipates 50 sacks from the other.

Dry-season farming has proven to provide more reliable yields compared to the uncertainties of the rainy season.

Alhaji Usman Kabir, another farmer who typically harvests up to 1,500 sacks annually, now plants before the rainy season to ensure that the crops reach maturity before the floods arrive.

This strategic shift has paid off, as he already has over 500 sacks from the dry season, in contrast to last year when he ended up with less than 10 sacks due to flooding.

While the farmers have embraced dry-season farming to combat floods, they still hold hope for a bumper harvest during the rainy season, despite predictions of potential flooding this year.

Ibrahim Adamu, another farmer, highlighted the adaptability of the farmers as they engage in year-round farming to offset the losses caused by floods. By planting more seeds in nurseries and transplanting them immediately after the harvest, the farmers ensure that their farming activities continue seamlessly.

Transitioning to dry-season farming comes with its challenges, including increased costs due to fuel expenses for irrigation. However, the farmers firmly believe that the benefits of reliable yields outweigh the costs.

Additionally, the new farming approach not only benefits the farmers themselves but also creates opportunities for others in the community.

Some farmers are hiring local laborers, both men and women, to assist during the farming process. This additional income is crucial for smallholder farmers like Abdulrahim Ado, who rely on it to support their families.

As Gishiri Wuya and other villages in Kano and neighboring states adopt this innovative approach to combat flooding, their resilience in the face of changing weather patterns and environmental challenges remains admirable and noteworthy.