Nigeria: Why Bauchi watermelon farmers moved to Cameroon

Dry season watermelon farmers experienced a serious setback following poor harvest as a result of diseases and pests in Bara village, which is the hub of watermelon farming in Kirfi Local Government Area of Bauchi State. Findings indicate that the hike in fuel price due to the removal of subsidy and poor yield during the last farming season discouraged many watermelon farmers, leading them to abandon it and opt for maize and other vegetables, while hundreds of young farmers relocated to Taraba State and the Republic of Cameroon to continue their watermelon farming. A watermelon farmer in Bara, Isa Danazumi, said dry season watermelon farmers witnessed poor harvest due to diseases and pests’ attacks that defied all manners of pesticides and control. “We don’t know the real problem this season because when watermelon is planted, the farmer faces two challenges. It is either the root of the plant dies while growing or after the plant produces the fruits, it will produce small sized ...