Farming at Risk from Drought

The Challenges Facing Dry-Season Farming in Nigeria

This year's dry-season farming operations have started at a slower pace, with many farmers showing a lack of enthusiasm due to the current decline in prices for key food items such as rice, maize, and wheat. This drop in prices, along with rising production costs and other related expenses, has left many farmers hesitant to engage in the process.

In 2023, during the same period, a significant number of farmers left their communities to seek out irrigation land for dry-season production, as grain prices were attractive. However, the recent decline in grain prices—particularly for rice, maize, and wheat—has led to substantial losses for farmers. Many who spoke to Weekend Trust expressed that they are not encouraged by the current situation and may either avoid farming this season or do so on a very small scale.

The government has launched a dry-season program targeting 500,000 hectares of land. According to Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Security, the initiative aims to promote all-year-round farming. The first phase focused on wheat in 15 wheat-producing states, while the second phase includes rice, maize, and cassava.

Despite the potential, Nigeria currently uses less than half of the 3.1 million hectares available for irrigated production. The wet season dominates agricultural activities, limiting yearly output despite the presence of numerous dams, irrigation sites, and river basins.

Nigeria has 408 dams, including 142 large, 59 medium, and 207 small dams, making it the country with the highest number of dams in Africa. Additionally, there are 12 river basin development authorities with the potential for 154,000 hectares of irrigable land. However, without proper support, many of these areas will see little activity this season.

Irrigation Farming Under Threat

Dry-season rice and wheat production are facing significant challenges. Farmers who produced rice, maize, and wheat last year are still dealing with the financial impact of a sharp drop in grain prices, which was influenced by a federal government policy allowing the importation of sorghum, brown rice, wheat, and maize.

Correspondents in Kano and Jigawa states reported that many farmers are still haunted by their experiences from the wet season. In previous years, this period was marked by activities such as land clearance, input purchases, water channel maintenance, and seed scouting. This year, however, things seem different, as many farmers are not enthusiastic about returning to the farms.

Revenues from the wet-season crops are typically used by farmers to finance dry-season operations. However, commercial farmers are unwilling to do so this time due to the steep decline in commodity prices.

Alhaji Sani Usman Kutama, a farmer who used to produce over 300 bags of maize annually, had to sell 80 bags of maize at N25,000 per 100kg to raise two million naira for the dry-season farming. He stated that many people are in a state of quandary due to heavy losses during the wet season, and the price of farm produce keeps going down while the cost of inputs keeps rising.

A visit to the Bagwai irrigation site revealed vast stretches of farmland that should have been cultivated already, lying bushy, with no sign of activity. Some areas known for producing onions, tomatoes, and wheat are also yet to be attended to by farmers.

The Impact of Rising Costs and Falling Prices

Malam Maikano Fayamfayam explained that many farmers are still counting their losses from the wet season, and returning to the farm for dry-season activities requires careful calculation. He questioned where farmers would get the money to finance dry-season farming, given the high cost of inputs like fertilizer.

Alhaji Shehu Bello Garun Malam, a wheat farmer, said that many wheat farmers are sceptical about engaging in the activity this season. He added that even though some farmers have planted wheat, many fields remain uncultivated due to fear of the unknown.

An onion farmer, Malam Abba Musa, said that people in his group suffered heavy losses last season. He highlighted the rising costs of fuel, fertilizer, and seeds, and the serious challenges faced by farmers.

Regional Perspectives

In Taraba State, many farmers have abandoned their irrigation farms due to losses. Mallam Yakubu Adamu, who invested over five million naira in his rice farm, harvested only 50 bags of paddy, with the price of paddy rice per bag now between N18,000 and N20,000. He noted that farmers in these areas are battling poor harvests and low paddy prices.

Rabiu Zailani, a large-scale farmer, said he would not embark on irrigation farming this season due to the losses he encountered after harvest. He lamented the high cost of farm inputs and labor, stating that it is not possible for farmers to recover their investments if they venture into irrigation farming.

Engineer Yahaya Mafindi, a farmer in the Sheka area, said irrigation farming this time around amounts to a waste of resources. He emphasized the need for the government to address the high cost of farm inputs and low prices of farm produce.

Similar Trends in Kebbi and Niger States

The situation in Kebbi State mirrors what is happening in Taraba State. Alhaji Lawali Usman, a popular rice farmer, said many farmers may not participate in this year's dry-season farming. He noted that the drop in price of rice has reduced the patronage from rice milling companies.

In Niger State, Alhaji Mahmud Bala Egge, Secretary of the All Farmers Association, said only a few farmers are engaging in the practice this year. He mentioned that the fall in the price of farm produce, high cost of farm inputs, and issues of insecurity have contributed to the decline in interest.

Aliyu Mohammed, another farmer in Lavun LGA, told Weekend Trust that most farmers have shown little interest in irrigation farming this year. He attributed this to the drying up of water bodies and the drop in the prices of farm produce.

Tauheed Dwale, a farmer in Gbako LGA, said he has not decided whether to cultivate or not. He emphasized the capital-intensive nature of irrigation farming and the financial risks involved.