11th April, 2017
Some farmers in Lagos on Tuesday expressed optimism that there would be bumper harvest in 2017 in view of early rainfall being experienced.
The farmers consequently called for improved storage facilities from governments and private investors for proper management of the harvest to reduce post-harvest losses.
The farmers spoke in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Chief Femi Oke, the Chairman of the Lagos State Chapter of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), said that the weather had been favourable and farmers well prepared for the bumper harvest.
“The weather is very good for farmers, and this means that production time will be earlier, while harvest will be bountiful.
“I want to encourage farmers to seize this opportunity and begin to plant their crops,” he said
Oke told NAN that improved storage facilities would encourage farmers.
He said that farmers would not be able to establish storage facilities, adding that they needed the help of governments and private investors.
However, Mr Temitope Odetola, President, Association of Youth Unity in Agriculture (AYUA), said that early rain could be a sign that there might be drought in the mid-year.
Odetola said: “The rain, we understand is only evident here in the South-West and not in the North and East.
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“This means that, according to NIMET, there may be hot weather around June and July; so, crop farmers should start planting and prepare for irrigation.
“Farmers should also think of storage space for their harvest because this rain pattern could lead to food shortages, if not properly managed because when we produce plenty and do not store them, they will go bad,” Odetola said.
Odetola said that it would be appropriate for governments to give lands to farmers to encourage building of storage facilities.
Mrs Olabisi Akinola, a crop farmer, encouraged farmers to partner with firms to build storage facilities.
Akinola said that some firms could request farmers to pay stipends to use such facilities and reduce post-harvest losses and encourage food security.