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An investigation carried out in the state on Friday, August 16, 2024, revealed that some farmers are worried as the time for harvesting crops approaches.
Others have turned to alternative means of supplying water on their farmland to augment the low rainfall.
The chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Gombe State,Mr Banyula Hala, said the insufficient rainfall, which he attributed to the effects of climate change, had impacted negatively on farming activities in the state.
Hala said rainfall was from God, and there was nothing anyone could do but look for a way around it.
According to him, the issue of low rainfall is a challenge to farmers, and it will affect the food security efforts of the government in this year's cropping season.
"In some of the farms in the state, the rice that was planted has dried up, whilst in waterlogged areas, the crop did fine.
But generally, there will be a challenge this season because, for the past decade, we have not really witnessed this kind of rainfall," he said.
The AFAN chairman said the situation would affect the income of farmers, given the high cost of inputs and the insufficient rainfall.
According to him, the negative impact of climate change on agriculture will continue for a long time, hence the need for government and stakeholders' intervention to ensure food security.
"The Federal and Gombe State governments must intervene through massive investment in dry season farming to augment what climate change is depriving farmers.
All the dams in the state should be resuscitated so that farmers can harness the potential in irrigation farming, which remains the only way out," he said.
