Nigeria's farmers in the North have recorded low harvest on some grains due to early cessation of rainfall

Farmers in some states in the North have recorded low harvest on some grains due to early cessation of rainfall, a situation that has pushed up the prices of the grains compared to the same time last year. Farmers who do not have access to irrigation facilities were mostly caught up as they watch their crops dry up in pains. Last year, same period at harvest, the prices of grains like maize and rice were low at N9,000 and N11,000 per 100kg bag respectively. But this year, the prices are high with maize and rice selling at N19,000 and N20,000 respectively. Our correspondents across the northern states report that farmers are worried over the situation and the prices in the major grains markets are responding to the low supply. In Bauchi State, many farmers have been affected by early cessation rainfall across the state. The situation has already compelled farmers living along major rivers and other riverine areas to resorts to watering their crops especially rice and sorghum to ...