— By FirstSiteNews
Farmers across Nigeria’s South-South region have expressed frustration over the lack of government support as they take up wet season farming, describing the situation as discouraging and economically limiting.
Many of these farmers, including returnees from urban areas, spoke during a survey conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on the current state of rainy season agriculture in the region. They lamented the absence of financial aid, farm inputs, and security — all critical to maximizing this year’s farming potential.
Mr. Richard Ndoma, a returning farmer from Ikom in Cross River, shared his challenges: “I’m eager to start a large cassava farm, but the lack of capital and seeds has stalled my plans. The government needs to offer grants and loans like they do for other sectors. Small farmers like us can’t afford the costs of manpower alone.”
Echoing this sentiment, Mr. Mike Ewa from Boki emphasized that the country’s harsh economic conditions had significantly hindered his farming ambitions. “People may dismiss us as small-scale farmers, but we need fertilisers, herbicides, and access to credit just like the big players,” he said.
Mr. Elijah Ugani of Yala noted that their effort was a direct response to the federal government’s call for increased food production and security. “We’re doing our part by returning home to farm. The government must step up and meet us halfway with the necessary tools and support,” he added.
Reacting to the complaints, Cross River State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Erasmus Ekpang, assured farmers that the Bassey Otu-led administration was committed to enhancing food security. “We’ve already started providing inputs, and we will do more. Farmers who have not yet received support should be patient,” he said.
In Rivers State, wet season farmers also called for urgent intervention, stressing the potential of the rainy season to eliminate food scarcity and poverty. Mr. Godwin Akandu, President of the Etche Farmers Cooperative Union, said: “Rainy season is a golden opportunity, especially for those without access to mechanized farming. But challenges like flooding and soil erosion need to be addressed.”
Mrs. Imelda James from Abua emphasized that weed infestation, lack of fertilisers, and pest control remained major challenges. “We’re losing yield because the nutrients in our soil are depleting. We need government-backed fertilizer programs and pest management tools,” she said.
In Akwa Ibom, Mr. Akpan Inem from Ibiono called for a mindset shift, urging authorities to treat wet season farming as a serious economic endeavor. “This is not a venture for the desperate. With the right support, rainy season farming can be a sustainable source of income and food for the nation,” he added.
The farmers across the region unanimously called for stronger government presence, urging state and federal authorities to recognize the role of smallholder farmers in food production and take decisive action to empower them ahead of future planting seasons.
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