Banditry, high cost of pesticides and lack of water for irrigation are the major challenges dry season farmers face in Katsina State.
ustapha Lawal has been involved in dry season farming for over a decade during which he has mostly faced the same challenges: insufficient water, lack of support from government and ever rising prices of pesticides, fertiliser and seeds.
Over the course of the last two weeks in January, PREMIUM TIMES spoke to dozens of dry season farmers across four local government areas of Katsina State on how these challenges have affected food production in recent years. Mr Marzuku said it is no longer safe to go frequently to the farm since the terrorists have their camps close to the dam.
This reporter was conducted round several farms in Kazomawa village close to the dam. Several vegetables especially tomatoes, pepper and bell pepper, had been eaten by insects while others were wilting. “Price of fuel is our major problem, because we also have to spend money to look for the fuel at that price,” the garden egg, tomatoes and bell pepper farmer said. “Just like fuel, prices of fertiliser and pesticides are also high. Farming is not conducive in situations like ours but we don’t have options.”The rising prices means many farmers cannot afford pesticides thereby leaving their farms at the mercy of insects.
Salisu Mansur, 35, estimated that 70 per cent of farmers recorded a loss due to the naira redesign policy and other issues, including insufficient water and inadequate fertiliser.