NAN-AE-1
Harvests
By Mohammad Mamman
Damaturu, Sept. 21, 2017 (NAN) Farmers in Yobe, said they have recorded bumper harvests in spite of the break in rainfall and pests invasion, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
A cross section of the farmers, who spoke to NAN in Damaturu on Thursday, said the ongoing harvest of farms has been promising.
Malam Abba Gaba, a farmer in Damaturu, said “I am currently harvesting my farms products in Damaturu and Gaba- Tasha, we thank God for the good harvests.
“The initial pattern of the rainfall and the outbreak of pests were scaring, but the harvests have generally been very good, ” he said.
Mustapha Bukar, a subsistence farmer in Damaturu, told NAN that he did not apply fertiliser on his farm, yet the yields were good.
Mohammed Ali, a civil servant and farmer, said he had problem accessing tractor but resorted to using improvised harrowing of the farm.
“We couldn’t access tractors but resorted to the improvising of a Golf car pulling the harrows to till the soil and, it worked perfectly with very good harvests” he said.
According to Alhaji Mustapha Gajirima, commissioner for agriculture, the ministry sprayed chemicals on several farmlands in seven out of the 17 local government areas in the state to save the farms from pests.
He said the army pests were reported in Tarmuwa, Yunusari, Yusufari, Giedam, Damaturu, Nangere and Gujba local government areas.
The commissioner said a special Irrigation Task Force project has been constituted to promote all year round agricultural activities in the state.
He said “the 35 hectares rice irrigation trail project in Muguram village and, the maize farm in Jumbam village were very successful with bumper harvests.”
“The project is designed to make farming an all year round activity for farmers to switch off from rainy season farming to irrigation and vice versa, throughout the year for improved economy and food security.
Gajirema said farmers will cultivate wheat from November to March, while rice will be cultivated between April and October.
NAN reports that following the new harvests, a bag of millet, the staple food of the people, now cost N9,500 in Ngelzarma and N10,500 in Damaturu against N14,000 sold two weeks ago.(NAN)
MM/AAB/MTM
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Edited By Adeboye Ajayi/Tukur Muntari.