Why Benue maize farmers are struggling in Nigeria

Maize farmers in Benue State are struggling for considerable harvest this year after over five weeks of dry spell accompanied by pest infestations that devastated their farms across many local government areas of the state. The farmers, who spoke to our correspondent in Makurdi from their various locations, blamed the challenges faced this year on climate change and pest infestations which they said wreaked havoc on their crops, resulting in a drastically reduced harvest. Amina Ede, a maize farmer in Ogobia —Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area of the state, said from the onset of planting in late May, everything went on well until in July when the rain ceased abruptly, causing the crop to whither midway. “I expected a bountiful harvest from my maize farm but the cessation of rain for over five weeks in my area affected the growth. In the end, I had poor harvest. “Besides, there were pest infestations on the maize. I felt really bad watching how the dry spell ruined my maize ...