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Babura Local Government Area of Jigawa State had recently been witnessing continuous heavy downpour which wreaked havoc as a result, destroyed about 995 rice farms spreading across 16 villages in one ward, Kuzunzumi.
As rice farmers are counting losses, experts said the ongoing heavy rains have been unusually persistent, especially in this season, contributing to the flooding and extensive farm destruction across.
Abdurahman MaiKano, the spokesman of the communities ravaged by the flood, expressed deep concern over its impact, noting it could lead to food shortages and loss of income.
“This disaster has put many families at risk. We urgently appeal to the state government and relevant agencies to come to our aid and alleviate the hardship.
“The villages severely affected by the flooding in the area include Kwagga/Martini, Fadibara, Kuzunzumi, Jikan Kanwa/Fulani, Dangaigai, Dankarda, Karfawa/Kanawa, Burukum Gari, Sabuwar Baka, Shashatu, Burukum Fulani, and Kurtulla”, the spokesman told journalists on Wednesday.
“The community hopes the state government will offer financial and technical assistance to help farmers recover and secure future harvests,” he urged.
Suraja Muhammad, a farmer, and victim of the flood while narrating the damage caused by the natural disaster, noted that it was a yearly ordeal. “We face these challenges every year. The government needs to engage experts to help prevent and control these recurrent floods,” he urged.
Mallam Musa, is also a victim, explained that, “this flood has wiped out large hectares of rice farms, a critical staple and source of livelihood for many in the area. This not only threatens farmers’ incomes but also raises fears of a wider food crisis ahead.
“Farmers in the area now face the daunting task of rebuilding amid fears that without urgent intervention, the next planting season could be severely affected.”
However, the affected local farmers commended Hamisu Muhammad Garu, the Babura Local Government Chairman, for sending a delegation to the affected communities to sympathise with the distressed farmers.
