Some farmers in Northwestern Nigeria, particularly in Kano, have expressed concerns about their participation in this year’s dry season farming due to the recent fuel subsidy removal.
These farmers, primarily involved in rice and maize cultivation, shared their apprehensions during interviews with a NIGERIAN TRACKER correspondent in Kano.
Hailing from the Marke village in Bunkure Local Government, they emphasized that the high cost of fuel might deter them from engaging in dry season farming.
Hamza Mato, a young farmer, questioned the practicality of purchasing fuel at 660 Naira per litre to power generators for irrigating their rice or maize fields. He explained that the constant need for irrigation would lead to significant financial losses.
Another farmer, Musa Yellow, expressed the hardship faced by village farmers due to the fuel subsidy removal. He noted that during the rainy season, the abundant natural water supply from the sky posed no limitations. However, the dry season presented a formidable challenge.
Kabiru Marke supported his colleagues’ concerns, highlighting that, as rural farmers, much of their dry season farmland remained unused until the moment repairs began on the river basins. These repairs often disrupted their farming activities.
Marke emphasized the difficulty of affording the high-priced fuel needed to operate their generators, further complicating their situation as many of them were responsible for their families’ well-being.
