Cross River’s Agricultural Development Program (ADP) says only about 50 per cent of the state’s farmers are aware of the Nigerian Meteorological Agency Research and Development’s (NIMET) prediction of early rains in 2023.
The Program Manager of ADP in Cross River, Mr Bassey Edet, disclosed this in Calabar.
It would be recalled that NIMET earlier predicted that rains would come early in 2023.
Edet said those aware of NIMET’s prediction got to know through the services of agricultural extension agents in the state.
The program manager said the information was passed to key agricultural cooperative groups in the state.
He said some farmers were happy with the early rains that had already started in Cross River as it was good for their crops such as vegetables.
“Although vegetable farmers are happy with the early rains following the drought they suffered in the last few weeks, others, like rice farmers, are seeing the situation differently.
“For rice and fish farmers who have earth fish ponds, preparations are ongoing as they are constructing artificial ponds around the edges of their farms in preparation for the June, July heavy rains.
“However, we don’t have enough extension agents to go into different communities to create awareness and help farmers in preparation against NIMET’s prediction of early rains,” he said.
Edet called on the media, traditional institutions and religious groups to help inform farmers about the prediction because the rains would affect some farmers negatively if they did not prepare well.
On his part, a rice farmer, Mr John Una, said now was the time to sensitize farmers, especially those in the rural areas to start preparing for the rains early.
“Most of the farmers are not even aware of the NIMET’s prediction of early rains or flooding in Cross River later in the year; so how can they prepare?
“The rains have been a bit constant in the state since January and taken the farmers unaware; we need to brace up,” he said.
Una said farmers needed to start early preparations so that they could harvest their crops before the rains became too heavy.
He expressed fears over what the situation would be around September since rain had become a bit constant in the early part of the year.
He said early rain was good for yam farmers because if they started planting early, they would be expecting a bumper harvest.
Edet however expressed fears that early rains would not favour rice farmers if flood met the crop.
NAN reports that Cross River has had a couple of rains that fell consecutively for about three days in January.
In Uyo, the Chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Akwa Ibom, Mr Bassey Inwang, said that the expected early rains in the country was good as it would affect crop yields positively.
Inwang said that early rains would result in early planting and maturity of crops which would enhance yields and food sufficiency in the state in a particular and country at large.
“The prediction is in order, but remember they predicted that the rains would come earlier than expected and that has come to pass with three heavy rains already recorded in this state.
“It will affect the crops positively, but the weeds will grow massively too. There will be early maturity of crops; it’s a booster to food sufficiency,” Inwang said.
The AFAN chairman called on farmers in the state to make good use of the early rains to start planting in time for improved harvest.
Also, Mr Okon James, a large scale cassava farmer, said planting had commenced in the state with about three rainfalls now.
James said early rains would ensure bumper harvest as farmers would start planting early.
He, however, said farmers would have to contain with weeds which was most likely to grow more.
“We are expecting bumper harvest this year with early rainfall. Farmers must be up and doing to make sure they weed so that weeds do not compete with the crops,” he added.
