Bauchi farmers bemoan delayed rainfall

Some farmers in Bauchi have expressed worries over delayed rainfall this cropping season.

A cross section section of the farmers, who spoke with our correspondent on Tuesday in Bauchi, said that poor rain pattern might impact crop yields negatively.

A maize grower, Mr Samul John said that most of the plants shrinked due to lack of moisture in the soil occasioned by lack of rain.

He said that farmers, who planted early lost their crops to lack of rains and hot weather condition.

“Also, farmers are yet to plant their farmlands in major maize growing areas, and those that planted with the hope of early arrival of the rains are now groaning in pains,” he said, adding that some of the affected farmers were preparing to replant their crops.

Another farmer, Mrs Lydia Bassam, however, attributed the delayed rain pattern to climate change realities.

She said the variances in rainfall in parts of the state would affect crop harvest and food security.

“With the delayed rain in parts of the state, we cannot have bountiful harvest crop this season because some farmers may not begin planting until late July.

“The situation is worrisome and it gets worse as a result of negative of impact of climate change.

”The climate is changing continuously, we can’t rely on rain fed agriculture anymore.

”Some farmers have given up planting at all, it is painful to see your crops wilt after planting,” she said.

Also commenting, Alhaji Jafaru Illehlah, Programme Manager, Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP), said there was no cause for alarm, adding, “it is too early to panic as the crops are still within planting period.

”The plan of the farmers is to have July, August and September rainfall, I do not think that all hope is lost,” he said.

Ilelah, therefore, advised farmers to plant early maturing crop to avoid losses at harvest.