Farmers in Nigeria’s South-South region, particularly those returning from cities to engage in rainy season farming, have voiced their concerns about the lack of government support. In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), they highlighted the challenges they face and called on state governments to provide essential resources, including funds and agricultural inputs.
For many city returnees, wet season farming offers an opportunity for livelihood and contributing to local food security. However, farmers such as Mr. Richard Ndoma, from Ikom in Cross River, lamented the lack of access to necessary funds and agricultural inputs, which severely hamper their ability to pursue large-scale farming ventures.
“I am interested in cultivating a large cassava farm, but I don’t have the needed funds and other basic inputs. The government should support us with loans and grants as they are doing for other farmers,” Ndoma shared. He further noted that the high cost of hiring labour remains another obstacle.
Mike Ewa, a farmer from Boki, also underscored the negative impact of the current economic climate on his farming aspirations, stating that despite their scale, small-scale farmers need the same support as large-scale ones. “We need fertilisers and pesticides too, but where is the fund to procure these items?” he questioned.
Elijah Ugani from Yala reiterated the sentiment, emphasising the importance of government assistance to boost food security, “By leaving the city to work in the farm, we are promoting the call for food security.”
In Cross River, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, the Commissioner for Information, reassured that the state government is committed to supporting farmers, but urged patience from those who have not yet received assistance. He affirmed that the Bassey Otu-led administration is focused on ensuring food sufficiency and security.
Similarly, in Rivers State, farmers have described the wet season as a key period to eliminate hunger and poverty, but again stressed the need for governmental intervention. According to Mr. Godwin Akandu, President of the Etche Farmers Cooperative Union, while the rains benefit crops, excessive rainfall can erode valuable soil nutrients, diminishing crop yields.
Mrs. Imelda James, a farmer from Abua, added that the lack of fertilisers has hindered the productivity of the region’s farms, which primarily grow yam, plantain, and vegetables. “We need the support of the government to surmount these challenges,” she said.
In Akwa Ibom, local farmers recognise the capital-intensive nature of wet season farming, but believe that the rewards are worth the investment. Mr. Akpan Inem, a farmer from Ibiono, urged the government to provide more support, noting that farming during the wet season requires a significant commitment and hard work.
Echoing this sentiment, civil servant Mr. Aniedi Edet from Ikot Ekpene reflected on the financial hurdles that accompany farming. “From the beginning to the end, farming requires money. You must acquire land, buy seedlings, hire labour, get fertilisers and pesticides. These things are not given for free,” Edet stated.
Dr. Owoidighe Ekpoattai, Special Adviser to Governor Umo Eno on Agricultural Development, recently expressed that the state government is ready to assist anyone genuinely interested in wet season farming. He stated that the government’s focus on rural farming will ensure grassroots access to farming inputs.
Experts agree that the abundant rainfall during the wet season significantly enhances crop yields, reduces water scarcity, and facilitates soil moisture, all of which are crucial for sustainable agricultural practices. Governments worldwide are promoting farming as a means to ensure food sufficiency, with many emphasizing the importance of supporting local farmers.