Dismal outlook for Nigerian farmers

Harvests in many parts of northern Nigeria were so poor this year that many farmers may not have the means to plant next season. S abo Nanono, head of Kano’s chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, the umbrella union of Nigerian commercial farmers, says at least 50% of produce was lost because of inadequate rainfall and locust invasions. “We therefore view next year with trepidation because we will not recoup even half the money we invested,” he says. The season before last, cereal prices were low but many farmers had bumper harvests and plenty of seeds for planting. “But poor yields this season have thrown us into a deeper quagmire,” Nanono says. – Irin news