The Kogi State Government, in collaboration with the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, has called for prayers to alleviate the ongoing drought, which is severely impacting farm crops and threatening food security in the state.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria, the Kogi State Commissioner for Agriculture, Timothy Ojomah, and AFAN Chairman, Salihu Adobayi, expressed deep concern over the lack of rainfall, which has persisted for over a month.
“We have no choice but to turn to prayer, asking for divine intervention to bring rain to Kogi State. Without it, we may not achieve the food production levels we aimed for this year,” Ojomah stated.
Adobayi echoed these concerns, highlighting the detrimental effects of the drought on key crops like rice and maize, especially those nearing maturity.
“The situation is dire. Just yesterday, I visited my maize farm, and the sight was heartbreaking,” he said.
According to Adobayi, the drought struck at a time when the state’s agricultural outlook was promising. “Before this drought, things were looking up. The state government had allocated over 8,000 hectares of land for the cultivation of rice, maize, and cassava. The crops were thriving until the rains stopped,” he explained.
Hope now lies in the predictions by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency, which forecast significant rainfall starting on August 18.
“If the rains come as predicted, there is a chance that some of the crops can be salvaged. But if the dry spell continues, it will be disastrous for us, as our crops rely heavily on water,” Adobayi added.
In response to the drought, the state government is considering long-term solutions, including a shift towards mechanized farming and the introduction of irrigation systems powered by solar energy. Ojomah emphasized that “relying on fossil fuels is becoming increasingly expensive, so investing in solar-powered water pumps for farmers could be a game-changer.”
The AFAN chairman further stressed the importance of these measures, noting that “if solar water pumps are introduced, it would not only help us combat this drought but also position Kogi State as a leader in food production and security.”
Adobayi concluded with a note of optimism, stating, “We haven’t lost hope yet. We are continuing our prayers, believing that God will send the rain we desperately need to ensure a bountiful harvest this year.”
