Food Crisis: Farmers Count Losses Over Irregular Rainfall

• “We Spend More To Keep Our Farms In Shape”

• Food Prices May Soar Amidst Low Production

• Govt Not Doing Enough To Boost Agriculture – Economist

Farmers in Osun State are counting their losses as the irregular rainfall occasioned by climate change and other factors has affected the 2024 planting season.

The farmers, in separate interviews with OSUN DEFENDER lamented that lack of adequate water has disrupted their plans for a bountiful harvest, as most of their crops are burning out and drying up.

The medium observed that in the last three months, the rains have ceased in Osun and other parts of the South West, which is an unusual development that exposed the crops to harsh weather and heat from the ground.

The months of June, July, and August is described by meteorologists and farmers as the horn of the rainy season where water is surplus and beneficial to crops.

The pattern of rainfall that may include a too high or too low rate of precipitation over a certain region which may lead to heavy rainfall or very low rainfall, is known as irregular rainfall

OSUN DEFENDER had it in its May 18, 2024 edition reported that farmers may witness huge losses due to irregular rainfall affecting the growth and plantation of arable crops in the state.

The report noted that some planted crops and vegetables like maize, cassava, tomatoes, pepper, and jute leaves were not having proper growth as a result of inadequate water.

As of the time of filing this report yesterday, most of the crops have remained stunted as obtained in May, making those due for seed production to have very little or no seed on them.

READ: Adeleke Has Increased Osun Revenue Over 100% Than Under Oyetola – Govt

Investigations revealed that the situation has put the farmers in a precarious situation, as they have devised means to provide irrigation for perishable crops like vegetables, tomatoes, pepper as well as grain crops.

The development, according to findings has also led to the continuous rise in the prices of foodstuff.

A visit by the medium to some farms in Oyan, Odo-Otin local government, Egbedi in Egbedore local government and Moro in Ife North local government area of Osun State during the week showed that most farmers have looked at alternative sources of water for irrigation.

Some of the alternatives findings by OSUN DEFENDER indicated include boreholes, wells, irrigation tanks, and others. 

“We Spend More To Keep Our Farms In Shape” 

Ayodele Oyewande, a farmer while exchanging views with OSUN DEFENDER said that the irregular rainfall has affected production during the ongoing planting season.

Oyewande who is a mechanised farmer stated that the huge cost of production will result in a hike of food prices during harvest.

He also decried the infrastructure challenge, stressing that bad state of roads is inimical to the movement of foodstuff from rural to urban centres.  

He said, “We go far distance to get water to wet our crops and this very stressful and come with additional cost. Most times we hire vehicles to bring water to the farm. The roads are also bad.

“We are spending a lot on farming activities lately because we can’t compare the rain to any source of water. The sad part of it is that the government is not helping our cause especially when you are not politically inclined.”

A maize farmer in Ora Igbomina, Ifedayo local government of the state, Mr. Azeez Mukaila noted that if the situation persists, the current food crisis in the country will further worsen.

Mukaila stated that his output would depreciate by 50% due to the lack of rain, resulting in a huge loss.

Noting that while he would have found alternatives to arrest the situation, he has started the business of a commercial motorcyclist to raise funds to offset the N2 million loan he took to plant.

“The situation is worrisome. It has never been this bad. June, July, August and the rains have ceased to fall. Normally, we would have harvested some edibles now and be waiting for September when there will be adequate sunlight to harvest. As it stands, I am on the losing side.

“50% of the maize in my farm have burned out. The leaves are now brownish in colour. The loan I took to plant will not afford me the opportunity to get more funds for irrigation. It is really a sad situation.

“I have spoken to some family members to assist with some funds to repay my loan. I took N2 million but the yield I will make will not be more than N800,000. I have to cover up. I now ride Okada to survive and raise money. God should come to our aid. There may be hunger in the land.”

Govt Not Doing Enough To Boost Agriculture – Economist

An Economist, Prince AbdulMateen Adekeye in an exclusive interview with OSUN DEFENDER blamed the federal government for not providing enough enabling environment for agriculture to thrive in the country.

While noting the impact of the irregular rainfall, Adekeye observed that if the government had provided enough water for the citizenry, it would have assisted the farmers with irrigation irrespective of the weather condition.

He stressed that, “The government is obviously at the root of the current situation. Even if the weather situation changes, it is not a major thing that could make the situation bad as it is.

“The fact is that the problem could have been solved if the government made water available for the people. If water was accessible to all and sundry, would anyone worry?

“It is time for the government to act right and do a lot of work in making agriculture profitable for the farmers. If they cannot do this, food prices would continue to soar and the hunger in the land would worsen,” Adekeye added.