Groundnut farmers in some states are already forecasting poor harvest due to several factors. The farmers, who expressed worry that they may not get bumper harvest, attributed the ugly situation to three main factors: the inability of the federal government to make fertilizer available to them early, erratic rainfall and herdsmen’s attacks.
One of the farmers, Mr David Bulus, who has started harvesting his groundnut, disclosed that the harvest was not impressive, compared with what he got in previous years.
“I am disappointed by the low yield this year,” he said. “I borrowed some money to rent the land and buy other inputs. With this problem, how can I pay back?”
Another farmer in Nasarawa State, Mr Yusuf Danladi, said: “As you can see, the crops are not flourishing as expected. I am afraid the harvest may not be good this year and that will tell on our pockets.”
Danladi, who also farms maize and beans, blamed late and irregular rainfall this year for farmers’ problems.
“These problems (late and irregular rainfall) and fertiliser scarcity will surely lead to crop failure,” he said.
Mr Stephen Yakubu is another groundnut farmer, yet to harvest though, who said that several factors worked against farmers interests this year.
“Apart from rainfall and fertiliser issues, many farmers are scared of going to their farms because of the incessant herdsmen’s attacks.
“Some of our farmers get killed and that is a very serious challenge to food security,” he said.
The farmers urged government to provide them farm inputs and security, among other things, to ensure bumper harvest and food security in the country.
Read more at http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/nigeria-vs-germany-live-updats/159298.html#14Ixi0Tt2d1hMyPY.99
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