There appears to be more food scarcity coming in Nigeria, with the lack of rainfall that most states are experiencing. In Kogi State, it is situation needing intervention of the Almighty.
You see, the Kogi Government and All Farmers Association of Nigeria on Sunday called for prayers for rainfall following the devastating effects of drought on farm crops and food security in the state.
The Commissioner for Agriculture, Mr Timothy Ojomah and AFAN Chairman, Salihu Adobayi made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lokoja.
“We have to resort to prayers for God to help send rain to us in Kogi because we may not achieve the desired food production and security.
Kogi Farmers Lament
“For over a month now, there’s been no rain in Kogi, and the devastating effects of drought in the state is going to hamper what the state government has done for farmers this year in terms of intervention.
“In fact, if things work right, we are expecting bumper harvests.
“Unfortunately, we are facing drought across the state right now. It has affected most of our crops.
“Mostly affected are rice and maize farms, especially those that are almost maturing.
“I was at my maize farm yesterday, and the situation was pitiful,” Adobayi said.
Furthermore, Adobayi explained that, before the drought, most farms across the state showed very encouraging results.
“This was because the government provided over 8,000 hectares of land to various farmers for cultivating rice, maize, and cassava.
“All the crops were cultivated and looked very promising until the drought hit.”
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“Our hope is in God and the prediction of NiMET that there can be a serious downpour beginning Aug. 18.
“If the rain falls, there is hope that some crops can be saved.
“But if it persists, then it will not augur well for us because the crops depend on water to survive,” he said.
Ojomah disclosed that the state government was looking at opportunities of going into full mechanised farming by providing irrigation facilities, especially solar powered water pumps to farmers.
“We think that’s the way to go because this fossil fuel is not cheap to buy, and it’s going higher and higher by the day.
“So, we are thinking of investing in production of solar water pumping machines for our farmers in the state.
“In that wise, farming will not be restricted to the rainy season but all-round seasons.”
