By Aluta News
June 16, 2021
In spite of low rainfall, Bauchi farmers have begun clearing their farms in preparation for this year’s cropping season.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the farmers, who targeted the first rainfall since April to begin planting their crops, were, however, thrown into dilemma as the low rain pattern continued into June.
A farmer, Mr Musa Mancha, told NAN on Wednesday that despite the low level rainfall in the state, he was doing everything in readiness for planting.
“However, it is about 10 days into June. I was not bothered about preparing my farm yet. “Until I see the rains, that is when I will till the land,” he said.
“Last year, I lost money I spent on fertilizer, hiring tractors and seeds, because I had to replant since the rains were delayed. Once bitten, twice shy.
“The period for this season of planting is almost over. I am only waiting for good rain. I have just finished clearing my farms. I am now doing other things before the planting begins,” he said.
Mrs Angelina Bulus, a rice farmer, said she had started preparing her millet and maize farms in different areas.
“I need to start early because of my experience during last year’s farming season. I started in the middle of the rainy period and it didn’t work out the way I expected.
“Now, I have put everything in place for this year’s planting. I have prepared the farms, bought fertilizers and other things needed for my millet, maize and groundnut. All I am waiting for is rain,’’ she said.
Another maize farmer said he was also well prepared for his five-hectare land and had started clearing it to plant maize.
“I have even bought the seedlings, fertilizers and other things I will need for the planting. All I am waiting for is the rain to go down in the soil then I start planting,” he said.
Another farmer and agronomist, Malam Aliyu Musa, said majority of farmers had adopted a wait-and-see attitude due to the unpredictable rain patterns.
“Last year, instead of March, the rains started in May and lasted for about a month instead of three, according to the Meteorological Department.
“The weather has become so erratic that no one is getting it right, not the Meteorological Department, nor the traditional rainmakers. This is because of climate change.
The unpredictability has left farmers in dilemma as Bauchi agriculture is mostly rain-fed, Musa added.
NAN