Early Rains: Don’t Rush to Plant; Expert Cautions Farmers

Mr. Daniel Abarshi, the Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) in Bauchi State has cautioned farmers against hasty planting of crops following the early rains in the state.
Abarshi gave the warning in an in with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Bauchi.
NAN reports that rainfall were recorded in parts of the state on April 7.
Abarshi urged farmers to exercise caution and not to be overwhelmed with the early arrival of the rain.
He said the rain was not enough to start planting crops, adding that farmers should strictly adhere to the rain prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet).
The director urged the farmers to prepare their lands and await proper rain before the planting crops.
“We have to wait until sometime in May when the rain will stabilise for farmers to start planting their crops,” he said.
Abarshi said the Federal Government had initiated sound programmes to enhance farmer support services this cropping season.
He advised farmers to form cooperative societies to enable them to access inputs and other support services initiated by the Federal Government.
NAN