Quelea birds destroy farms in Jigawa

Farmers in Jigawa State have cried for help over the recent invasion of quelea birds destroying farm produce in the state.

Some rice farmers told Daily Trust that the invasion of the quelea birds on rice farms and other products has been threatening yield.

Malam Musa, a farmer in Auyo LGA, said three of his farms were destroyed as a result of the birds’ invasion.

“I had anticipated getting at least 70 bags of rice after the harvest but due to the invasion, I only managed to get 50 bags,” he added.

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Idris Kamilu, a rice farmer in Auyo Local Government Area, said farmers have to adopt traditional means to minimise the bird’s attacks.

“We are using local fish-catching nets to minimize the bird’s attack which normally occurs early in the morning,” he added.

They urged the Federal and Jigawa state governments to, as a matter of urgency, fumigate the farms in Auyo and other LGAs across the state.

The Federated Water Users Association, Hadejia valley irrigation scheme, Auyo LGA chapter, also appealed to both federal and state governments to urgently fumigate the farms against the birds.