Weather whiplash’ cycles of floods & droughts imperil Nigerian farming
“Farmers in Nigeria face severe losses due to disrupted farming seasons caused by extreme weather, termed “weather whiplash” by Mallika Nocco of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. This involves a rapid succession of extreme conditions like temperature spikes, heavy rains, floods, and droughts, which disrupt planting and water management. Rosemary Obi, a farmer in Bayelsa, noted the increasing difficulty of farming due to erratic weather patterns. A 2023 study highlighted that poorer regions, especially in Africa, are more frequently affected by such weather events. Nigerian lecturer Akintobi Olanrewaju explained that limited knowledge and infrastructure force farmers to shorten planting cycles and reduce yields. Farmers like Obi are now using traditional methods to cope, such as retaining grass on fields to preserve soil moisture. Advanced solutions like irrigation and greenhouse farming are often too costly for local farmers. However, experts like Courtney Leisner from Virginia Tech suggest high-tech breeding and genetic engineering could help develop resilient crops. Effective implementation of these solutions requires collaboration and education from governments and organizations. Source: Mongabay
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The disruption of farming seasons in Nigeria due to “weather whiplash”—rapid successions of extreme weather conditions—poses significant challenges to the agri-food value chain. These erratic weather patterns, characterized by temperature spikes, heavy rains, floods, and droughts, lead to disrupted planting schedules and water management issues, severely impacting crop yields and quality. Farmers, particularly in poorer regions, lack the infrastructure and knowledge to adapt, resulting in shortened planting cycles and reduced productivity.
To mitigate these challenges, the adoption of high-tech solutions such as advanced irrigation systems, greenhouse farming, and genetically engineered crops could be transformative. These innovations can enhance crop resilience to extreme weather, ensuring more stable yields. However, their implementation requires substantial investment and support from governments and organizations to make them accessible to local farmers.
Collaboration across the value chain—from policymakers to researchers and farmers—is crucial. Education and information dissemination about these technologies are vital to overcoming skepticism and ensuring successful adoption. By leveraging these strategies, stakeholders can make informed decisions that foster growth and resilience in Nigeria’s agri-food sector.”
