Farmers turn to prayers as rainfall ceases in Taraba

Farmers across some local government areas of Taraba State have embarked on prayers for rainfall.

The prayers were a result of lack of rainfall which affects farming activities in many local government areas of the state.

Findings revealed that many farmers in Jalingo, Zing, Lau, Karim-Lamido, Ardo-Kola and Karim-Lamido are yet to plant their crops due to a lack of rainfall.

However, in Kurmi, Sardauna, Takum, Gashaka and Donga local government areas, farming activities are fully going on following rainfall experienced.

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It was learnt that harvest will soon start in some local government areas located in the southern and part of central zones of the state as well as in Sardauna Local Government Area.

In contrast, planting has not fully commenced in part of the North and central zones of the state a situation that made residents embark on prayers for rainfall.

A farmer in Jalingo, Musa Yakubu told Daily Trust on Sunday that he had yet to plant maize in his farm due to lack of rainfall.

He said in June last year farm produce like groundnut, cassava, maize, and yam had flooded markets but this year it was different.

He also blamed the high cost of foodstuffs on the lack of rainfall, adding that many people were afraid to release their stock because of the lack of rainfall.

…Adhere to seasonal prediction – NiMet

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has advised farmers in Nasarawa State to adhere to seasonal climate prediction and crop-weather calendar for the 2024 planting season in order to prevent losses.

Mr James Adamu, Chief Meteorologist (Agriculture), NiMet, gave the advice during a one-day virtual workshop for the 2024 Seasonal Climate Prediction and Crop – Weather Calendar for Nasarawa State.

According to Adamu, crop – crop-weather calendar is a veritable tool that provides timely information on best planting dates based on seasonal climate prediction.

He explained that farmers’ adherence to growing season prediction and crop–weather calendar would help them to understand how each farming activity is being influenced by climate and weather.

“Crop-weather calendar helps farmers to understand the time for different farming activities and the kind of additional climate information that would be useful to them,” he said.

The Chief Meteorologist, Agriculture stated that Nasarawa State is among the states predicted to experience a short length of growing season.

“The growing season for 2024 is expected to end from 18 to 27 of October, the earliest cessation is predicted to be October 18 around Karu Local Government Area while the latest is from October 27 in Doma LGA respectively,” he said.

Adamu further disclosed that Nasarawa State is also predicted to experience a dry spell between July and August 2024, noting that it would last for 15 days.

Mr Joshua Jonathan, National President, Association of Small Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), an implementing partner in Nasarawa State said that the 50 participants workshop included farmers and extension agents drawn from the three Senatorial districts of the state.

He said that the essence of the workshop was to make information available to farmers to be able to take decisions on their farming activities.

“NiMet has predicted this year’s rainfall pattern, as well as a dry spell in July and August, it is now left for farmers to take decisions on what types of crops they are expected to plan within the period to survive.

“It means that we should shift from normal agricultural practice to smart agricultural practice,” he said. (NAN)