Climate Change: The Plight of Farmers on an Uneven Downpour in Maiduguri


A groundnut farm along Dalori community, Maiduguri PC: Adama Abubakar

By: Adama Abubakar

There have been several anomalies in rainfall in agro-climatic zones in Africa, with variations in the rainfall amount received during growing seasons in different agro-climatic zones in recent years, it has been observed that rainfall is more reliable from May until July, and less reliable in March, August and October, this is according to a research by CGIAR program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS).

Climate change has become a major issue in Nigeria, particularly in the country's northern region, which is known for its arid zone and states affected by a decade-long conflict. 

Borno, which was the epicenter of the insurgency in Nigeria is facing numerous challenges caused by climate change. However, climate change poses distinctive challenges towards several human activities, but predominantly, farming has been noticeably affected due to delayed rainfall.

Farmers in Maiduguri have been experiencing an unusual downpour, which has affected the overall outcome of their harvest in recent years. Aishatu Usman, a mother of nine and a local farmer, who plants groundnut, millet and corn to feed her home shared her experience on the uneven rainfall pattern.

"When the crops begin to germinate in their early stages, the rainfall will stop, and I will notice how the crops shrink from their leaves. This is not the dry season that I am setting for irrigation farming, I depend on the rainfall to grow my plants." Aisah Usman lamented.

Aisha reflects on how the rainy season used to be in the past.

"Years back, we used to experience a normal pattern of rainfall and it is sufficient for the crops, so, as a farmer, I used to be very happy with my harvest, and the atmosphere during the rainy season is appealing because there is enough downpour and the crops are greener". 

Aishatu Usman at her farm. PC: Adama Abubakar 

Aishatu is not the only farmer, who's facing such a challenge in Maiduguri, Baba Mathew, shared his experience from last year.

"Farming has always been the means of survival for me, but last year, things were different as harvest was poor due to delayed rainfall, the crops were damaged by pests and the soil is no longer fertile as it use to be," 

"Because of such experience, I have to adopt strategies to cope with the drought by selecting crops that will endure the weather and being mindful of the planting period". Baba Matthew explained. 

Similarly, Laraba Ali, who has been into farming for over fifteen years, narrated that  she is yet to decide whether to plant or not, due to loss she had encountered last year as insects destroyed most of it due to the heat waves and inadequate rainfall.

Experts view 

Dr Adam Mustapha Kolo, a lecturer at the University of Maiduguri's Department of Geography, identified some factors that contribute to the issue of climate change.

"Certainly, the climate is changing, and human activities play a significant role in this. Primarily, deforestation for domestic or commercial purposes, as well as bush burning, all contribute to a consistent lack of rainfall." 

"The unwelcome impact of delayed rainfall in Borno state, limited monetary resources, and a lack of knowledge on how to design and implement effective adaptation measures make it difficult for farmers to cope with the effects of climate change." He added.

Dr. Adam identified some methods for mitigating climatic patterns, including reviving the tradition of planting trees and planting crop varieties that can withstand the current conditions of climate change in Nigeria. Another strategy to help small holder farmers become more resilient is for the government to collaborate with research organizations like CCAFS to develop informed climate change policies. 

 

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