All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) stated that they are planting more crops this year by applying scientific weather prediction from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
The Vice-Chairman of AFAN, Alhaji Abdulrahman Yusuf stated this during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Minna.
“We are taking advantage of NiMet prediction that the rains will stop by November instead of October to plant more crops. Right now we are cultivating crops that will take 45 to 60 days to mature,’’ he said.
The farmers union added that they are taking measures to leverage on the more rain expected to enhance the production of food in the state and country at large. They added that the rain was predicted to stop by mid-November and this will assist farmers in the late cultivation of crops. AFAN stated that crops that are planted lately include pepper, okra, cowpea, short Kaura, and tomatoes.
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It was reported that the agricultural productivity in Nigeria is currently growing by 1.3% is not sufficient to meet raw materials and food demands; as stated by Mr. Asue Ighodalo, the Chairman, Board of Directors, Sterling Bank Plc during the 4th Agriculture Summit Africa (ASA) 2021 organized by Sterling Bank on Wednesday in Lagos.
“With millions at risk of being deprived of their means of livelihoods occasioning major concerns around food security, with an estimated population of over 200 million growing at an annual rate of three percent, regardless of recent interventions, agricultural productivity in Nigeria growing at about 1.3 % is insufficient to meet our food and raw materials demand,” he said.
He warned that the agricultural deficit of Nigeria continues to grow large despite the interventions of the government, irrespective of the opportunities available, stating low yield per hectare is a result of inadequate quality inputs, climate changes among others.
The agricultural sector Nigeria grew by 1.3% every year in real terms in the second quarter of 2021, it has reduced to the 2020 period that was 1.58% and a reduction of -0.97% points from the first quarter of 2021 which had a growth rate of 2.28%.
