Nazifi Dawud
A tomatoes and onions farmer in Kano state has identified secrets that help farmers prevent pest attacks on their crops.
In an interview with Daily News 24 recently, Malam Salihu Usman Domaji, a seasoned farmer in Domaji Garun Malam Local Government revealed that early planting of crops helps greatly in dealing with problems of pests on crops.
He said this while answering a question on the impact of global warming on crop conditions.
“The secret to avoiding the destruction of crops by pests is to plant very early such that before the summer heat sets in, you would have already harvested the crops,” Malam Domaji explained.
He noted that the presence of worms in the farm is more pronounced during the summer period compared to the harmattan season.
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Malam Salihu also traced back the beginning of harsh climate conditions in the state to approximately seven years ago, agreeing that global warming is indeed happening and has a devastating impact on farm produce.
He explained that the worms are virtually absent during the harmattan season but become prevalent during the summer period.
Specializing in onions and tomatoes, Malam Salihu shared valuable information about his experiences, challenges, and the impact of external factors on farming in the region.
In response to queries about crop yields, Malam Salihu stated that he anticipates harvesting a hundred or more sacks of onions per acre and around 40 sacks in half an acre.
Reflecting on changes over the past few years, Malam Salihu highlighted the shift in seed quality.
However, he expressed concern about the increasing challenge of dealing with worms that adversely affect their crops.
Additionally, he mentioned the rising costs of manure, impacting overall profits.
But despite these challenges, he emphasized the necessity of selling products at reasonable prices that could cover the expenses of the farmer and be fair to consumers.
Regarding government assistance, Malam Salihu revealed that neither he nor his fellow farmers had received any support from the federal or state government.
He suggested that assistance should be channeled through town chiefs or community leaders who are more familiar with the farmers and their needs.
He expressed skepticism about aid from politicians, emphasizing the importance of direct assistance to ensure it reaches the intended recipients.
In conclusion, Malam Salihu’s insights provide a valuable perspective on the challenges faced by farmers in Domaji Garun Malam Local Government of Kano State.
From evolving farming practices to the impact of global warming and the role of government assistance, his experiences shed light on the complex dynamics of agriculture in the region.