Farmers express fear over unsteady rainfall in Damaturu

Farmers in Damaturu express fear over unsteady rainfall in Damaturu
Rainfall
By Mohammed Mamman
Damaturu, July 11, 2018 (NAN) Farmers in Damaturu on Wednesday expressed fear over the pattern of rainfall, saying it is not suitable for agricultural activities.
A cross section of farmers interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), in Damaturu, expressed shock over the development.
Malam Musa Barnawa, a 45-year-old farmer in Nayi Nawa, said he planted his crops when the rains started, adding that the rains ceased after some time.
Barnawa said he had to replant the crops as the newly germinated ones dried up.
‘‘I am scared because some of us had a similar experience in 2017, when the rains suddenly stopped while the crops have not matured,’’ he said.
Malam Shettima Mustapha, another farmer, corroborated Musa’s claim, describing the pattern of rainfall as very scary.
He expressed regret that the volume of rainfall recorded since the beginning of the season was unhealthy for farming.
‘‘The gap between the rainfall has been wide and long which affects the crops and may translate into poor harvest at the end of the season,’’ Shettima said.
Malam Ali Mohammed, another farmer, advised the State Government to address the problem by developing more irrigation outlets for farmers.
Mohammed opined that the rain-fed agriculture was becoming more unpredictable.
He lauded the state government for the development of irrigation farms in some parts of the state.
‘‘But there is an urgent need for expansion to accommodate more farmers across the state.
‘‘The vast water sources in Gulani, Gujba, Fune, Nguru, Geidam, Gashua, Jakusko, Fika and Nangere among others have great potential for improved agricultural production in the state,’’ Mohammed said. (NAN)
MM/MOL/ABI
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Edited by Mustapha Lamidi/Ali Inuwa
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