West Region: Farmers in panic as productivity faces climate change threats
By Stephen TADAHA
Farmers in most parts of the West region have for some weeks now been expressing worries about the outcome of their crops this farming season.
The rains that prompted farmers to plant crops have since disappeared and crops are withering. This situation has left most farmers speechless and powerless as they now put their hopes on divine intervention.
” I planted in March when the rainy season started and since then I’ve been waiting in vain for another rainy period to put fertilizer. But nothing. Only sun and sun. See the corn I planted. It is being discolored by the Sun. I cannot put fertilizer when there’s no rain. With this situation, I think only God can help us” a farmer cried out.
After the first rains, the National Observatory on Climate Change in its March 2024 monthly bulletin, had cautioned farmers to begin planting in most parts of the grass field as from April 2 announcing rains that much rains will favor planting. But farmers who respected the instructions from the National Observatory were also in the same situation.
“I planted in April as recommended by the experts. There is no difference between my crops and those which were planted in May. They are drying out” another farmer confirmed.
In another outing in its 5th monthly bulletin, made public on Thursday, May 2, the National Observatory announced continued dryness and sporadic rains that might negatively affect farming activities.
