Some farmers in Abakaliki, the Ebonyi State capital have decried lack of rainfall and poor yield of their farm produce as a result of the long August Break’ decrying that this has also caused decay of tubers of yam
Interacting with HRH Eze Pius Nwankwo Akam-Alo, the Nnajioha 1 of Nkaleke-Echara Ndebor Autonomous Community of the state and a Farmer, who observed that the long break of rainfall, has caused more harm than good, saying:
“It’s unfortunate that the August Break is taking so long. It’s natural phenomenon that by this time of the year, under normal weather condition go dry but not as long as this, usually.
“The entire universe is under weather changes because of a lot of interruption by man, disturbing the ecosystem. So it’s taking longer by the effects of ecosystem and it’s affecting a lot of Agricultural activities and drying up plants and produce like maize, yam, and cassava.
“Today, my Children are going to the farm to replace Cassavas we planted which are dried up. Rice planted before a dry season sets up like this are drying up. It’s likely we have to replant them, otherwise, they are gone.
“Around this time, maize planted early enough is mature for harvest and consumption in the family.
So, it’s having a lot of adverse effects on plants and other farm produce. It’s affecting us domestically and market wise.
“We used to have dry season power-plant or electric machines whereby you can water your field (s) which some don’t have and we commended the state government and beg them to identify real farmers and assist them.”
Also, the Coordinator of farms in Ohaukwu Local Government Area of the Ebonyi State, Hon Godwin Okpoto and others including Engr Chris Onyibe, Mrs Cecilia Ogodo, Mr Lawrence Ogodo, Mrs Nwogha Obiageri, amongst others who are farmers on rice, yam, cassava, livestock rearers and marketers said lasting climate change of dryness is no longer funny, considering the facts that the farm produce are dying, livestocks getting thin, little or no meals/fruits for household consumption of water to drink and use for other domestic purposes, lack of customers and lost of profits at sales points, praying God to send down the long expected downpour.
