Nigeria: Why Taraba farmers plant melon early despite warnings

As farmers begin early planting of melon (Agushi) in Taraba State, experts have advised them to take the prediction on the start and cessation of rainfall seriously. The practice of planting melon seed by farmers in four local areas of the state after recording first rain of the year is because the crop is drought resistant and mature within two months after planting. Farmers also embraced the crop because it does not need fertiliser application to give good yield. Farmers in Sardauna, Bali, Gassol, Gashaka and part of Ardo Kola local government areas started planting melon and some other crops three weeks ago. The development, it was gathered, was as a result of rainfall recorded in the area late February this year. Our finding revealed that farmers take advantage of the early maturing nature of the crop to make money. A farmer, Ali Maihula, told Daily Trust on Sunday that both small and large scale farmers in Taraba State grow melon as an easy way of making money to invest in ...