Nigerian Farmers Decry Poor yield as Benue starts Rice Harvest

Benue State government has commenced the rice harvest season with a call on Nigerians to embrace agriculture as a reliable alternative in the face of dwindling.

 

Benue State government officials at the flag-off of rice harvest in Benue recently.

This is even as some farmers have decried poor yield in their localities in the state due to lack of improved seedlings and inconsistent rainfall.
Governor Samuel Ortom, kicked off the event at one of his farms in his village near Gbajimba, in Guma Local Government Area. He stressed the need for diversification of the nation’s economy from oil to agriculture.

He urged the people to embark on dry season farming, adding that the state government has entered into partnership with the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD) to support farmers with massive land clearing, farm equipment and other inputs for mechanised farming.
Ortom noted that Benue indigenes could cultivate rice, soybeans and sesame commercially to boost the economy of the state, maintaining that his administration would provide an enabling environment for them to utilise the entire value chain for their greatest benefit.
However, rice farmers in Obi and Agatu local government areas have cried out over what they termed as discouraging yields from their farms, appealing for government’s assistance to overcome the challenge next season.

A programme officer of Moral Restoration and Enlightenment Initiative, Mr. Ogbaka Ogbake, said farmers who cultivated rice under his organisation in Obi area had poor yields this year.
Ogbake added: “We have been using local variety seedlings because we don’t have access to improved seedlings, coupled with the inconsistent rainfall this year, the yields turned out very poor. We are seeking collaboration with government to enhance productivity in the area.”
He pointed out major challenges bedeviling rice production in his locality to include lack of improved seedlings, available market  and funding to expand production despite availability of massive land for farming.
Also, rice farmers in Agatu riverine area, said their effort this year was thwarted by the devastating flood which destroyed their farms.

A farmer in the area, Ngbede Musa, told Daily Trust that his large rice farm was washed away by the flood.
Meanwhile, Governor Ortom, who took part in the harvest of rice on his farm covering about 150 hectares, has urged the federal government and international donors to help the state against frequent flooding.