Nigeria: Researchers take samples from Bauchi watermelon farms to tackle diseases and pests

A team of researchers from the National Horticultural Research Institute (NIHORT), Kano and Gombe centres has visited watermelon farms ravaged by diseases and pests, as well as taken samples of the affected plants for analysis to tackle challenges dislodging farmers from Bara, Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi. Speaking at one of the affected farms, the leader of the team, Dr Idris Bala Gingiyu from Bagauda station in Kano, said the team was in Bara to interact with the affected farmers to get relevant information and collect samples of the affected plants, fruits and the types of insecticide used, as well as the mode and method of their application. Idris said, “What we read in Daily Trust newspaper motivated our institute to intervene, with a view to rescuing farmers concerning the farming of watermelon in Bara. If we don’t say that Bara watermelon farmers are the pioneers of the fruits, they are the major producers. “We want to commend Daily Trust for their investigative ...