Unlike Last Year, This Year’s Wheat Harvest In Katsina Is Good

Wheat farmers in Katsina State experienced a significant increase in harvests this dry season, outperforming last year’s yields, reports Daily Trust. Farmers attributed this success to early planting and a favorable harmattan season lasting four months. Malam Zakariya Funtua, a farmer in Barebari, noted that stable cold weather from November to February helped them achieve better yields compared to the previous year, when excessive heat due to global warming hampered production. He reported harvesting over 24 bags from the same farm that produced only 13 bags last year. Regarding federal government interventions, Zakariya stated that most local farmers funded their own production, as government programs often fail to reach them. He criticized the misappropriation of inputs meant for farmers, suggesting that better implementation could have prevented the current economic issues. In local markets like Dandume, Bakori, and Funtua, wheat prices started strong this season, with a 100 kg bag initially priced at N70,000 before dropping to N65,000 as supply increased. Haruna Sani, a wheat dealer in Dandume Market, noted that last year’s prices were much lower, starting at N35,000 and peaking at N60,000. He predicted that those who store wheat might sell it for N80,000 to N90,000 in a few months. There is optimism for increased wheat production next year, especially as major buyers like Olam plan to start purchasing wheat in Katsina markets. Alhaji Murnai Dandume, a retired agricultural worker and agro-products dealer, emphasized the need for the government to collaborate with grassroots farmers through associations to ensure interventions reach real farmers and that agricultural policies are more effective. Source: DailyTrust

OUR REVIEW:

The recent bumper harvests by wheat farmers in Katsina State signal a positive shift in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape. Early planting and a favorable harmattan season were key factors, highlighting the importance of adaptive farming practices in mitigating the effects of climate variability. This year’s stable cold weather from November to February allowed farmers like Malam Zakariya Funtua to significantly boost their yields, from 13 bags to over 24 bags per farm. However, despite this success, the issue of federal government interventions remains problematic. Many local farmers, as Zakariya pointed out, have had to self-fund their operations due to ineffective distribution of government support. This calls for improved transparency and accessibility in agricultural programs to ensure that aid reaches those in need, ultimately stabilizing the sector and contributing to economic growth. Market dynamics also played a crucial role, with wheat prices starting at N70,000 per 100 kg bag before dropping to N65,000 as supply increased. This fluctuation indicates a robust market response to higher production, with potential for increased prices for stored wheat in the coming months. The involvement of major buyers like Olam further enhances prospects for the next season, encouraging farmers to increase production. For sustained growth, collaboration between the government and grassroots farmers is essential. Forming local farmer associations and leveraging agricultural departments at the LGA level can ensure that interventions are effective and policies are informed by those directly involved in farming.