Farmers Decry Drought As Worms Devastate Crops In Katsina

Farmers in Katsina State are lamenting devastating effects of drought and worm infestations on their crops, leading to significant loss and threatening food security in the region.

The prolonged dry spell and invasion of pesky worms have ravaged farmlands, leaving once thriving crops withered and useless. The situation has sparked concerns among farmers, who fear that the disaster may worsen if urgent measures are not taken to address it.

The situation is particularly dire for smallholder farmers, who rely on their crops as source of income and food for their families. As the situation continues to deteriorate, farmers are calling on government and relevant stakeholders to intervene with urgent assistance to mitigate the effects of the disaster.

The chairman of All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Katsina State, Yau Gwajo-gwajo expressed dismay at the severity of the invasion, noting that while the state has experienced similar incidents in the past, this year’s destruction is unprecedented.

“This year’s invasion is the most severe we’ve seen,’ Gwajo-Gwajo lamented. “The worms are destroying entire crops, consuming both the leaves and roots of the plants, leaving farmers with significant losses.

“The worms we used to know eat only the leaves of crops, but these ones are different as they don’t leave anything when they are done with young plants.

“The situation is a sad one, and the reason for such invasion may not be unconnected with the lack of rainfall for some days in some parts of the state. Areas mostly affected include Batagarawa and Katsina council area, including several council areas in Daura and Funtua senatorial zones.

“Some farmers have lamented that their farmlands had been adversely affected, while others have said the destruction on their farmlands were minimal”, he added.

A lecturer and climate change researcher, Mr Iguda-Ladan, said the trending issues are connected to effect of climate change, adding that factors such as lack of rainfall, hail storms among others have impacted quantity of food produced.

“Sometimes, there is no rain during the rainy season. I remember in 2021, the rainfall suddenly stopped and many crops were lost. Lack of rain in months like August affects some crops like beans and rice.

The state commissioner for environment Musa Adamu recently announced the government plans to raise 10 million tree seedlings and distribute across communities with a view to tackle the effect of climate change in the state.