Farmers in Dutse, Jigawa State, have expressed concern over the irregular rainfall pattern affecting the current farming season, warning that prolonged weather uncertainty could reduce crop yields and threaten agricultural production if the situation persists.
The farmers said the inconsistent rains have forced many of them to delay the cultivation of water-intensive crops due to fears of poor germination and low harvests.
Speaking in separate interviews on Friday, the farmers explained that the prolonged dry spell which followed the initial rainfall had disrupted crop establishment and created uncertainty over the progress of the farming season.
According to them, many crops planted after the first rains have experienced moisture stress, while others have failed to establish properly because of inadequate and inconsistent rainfall.
The farmers noted that the unpredictable weather has affected normal farming operations, making it difficult to determine the appropriate time for planting and increasing the risk of crop losses.
They called on agricultural extension officers and relevant government agencies to provide timely weather advisories and technical support to help farmers make informed decisions during the season.
The farmers also appealed for interventions, including access to drought-tolerant and early-maturing seed varieties, irrigation support and other climate-smart agricultural technologies to reduce the impact of erratic weather conditions.
Agricultural experts have consistently warned that changing rainfall patterns linked to climate change pose significant challenges to crop production, particularly for smallholder farmers who rely heavily on rain-fed agriculture.
Despite the challenges, the farmers expressed hope that rainfall would stabilise in the coming weeks, enabling crops to recover and improving prospects for a successful harvest during the 2026 farming season.
