Anxiety has gripped
farmers in Kano State over the late arrival of the rainfall which
heralds the commencement of the 2011 planting season, the News Agency
of Nigeria (NAN) reports.
An informal survey
by a NAN correspondent in some parts of the state revealed that the
farmers were restive about the situation, which they fear might affect
this year’s harvest.
One of the
farmers, Abdul Ibrahim, told NAN at Yargaya village near Kano, that he
was apprehensive about the lack of rains for the planting of crops.
“Last year by this
time, we had already planted our crops; in fact, many of us had started
harrowing and ridging the farms; but this year, we are yet to witness
any sufficient rainfall,” complained Mr Ibrahim, who grows millet,
sorghum and beans.
Another farmer,
Usaini Hudu, said that he had conveyed manure to his farm at Jido
village about one month ago in preparation for the season, but the
delayed rain was discouraging him from making further efforts on the
farm.
“I pray that the
rains come in full to enable us plant our crops so that we will have
good harvest. It will ease our present hardships caused by high prices
of foodstuff,” Hudu said.
NAN gathered that most parts of the state had witnessed rainfall only twice so far.
Heavy rainfalls recorded in towns and villages in neighbouring
Kaduna State have further increased the anxiety of the Kano farmers.
