By Francis Ogwo
There is an imminent food shortage in Nigeria as over 25 per cent rice harvests in the country’s main rice producing areas of Northern Nigeria have reportedly been destroyed by flood.
According to reports, at least two million tons of rice have been washed away as rivers, dams, and ponds overflow their banks.
This figure makes it more than 25 per cent of the previously projected national output of 8 million tons, according to estimates by the All Farmers Association of Nigeria.
Kebbi State Chairman of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mohammed Sahabi, had stated over the weekend that at least 450,000 hectares (1.2 million acres) were destroyed in Kebbi State alone, which is the country’s main rice growing state.
Sahabi stated that rice farmers in the state had targeted a 2.5 million ton contribution to the national basket, but will now meet less than 20 per cent of the target.
Farmers in five other states including Kano, Niger, Ebonyi, Jigawa and Nasarawa also reported damage.
“Although we heard the forecast of flooding this year, we didn’t expect that the damage will be of this magnitude,
“Our target at state level was 2.5 million tons this year, but now we are looking at only 500,000 tons of harvest.” Sahabi added.
In a recent report by the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), they had stated that about 50 people have been reported dead in Nigerian floods this year as torrential rains caused the country’s two main rivers to overflow.
They also warned that at least 28 of 36 states were at risk of flooding due to heavy rainfall. Other crops such as sorghum, millet and corn were also affected by the flood.
