The President of the Niger Delta Integrated Farmers Association of Nigeria, Julius Okpahe-Wodah, has warned farmers across the South-South, South-East and South-West regions to prepare for possible crop losses following prolonged heavy rainfall.
Okpahe-Wodah gave the warning in an interview with Today FM’s Olawale Sanusi, noting that continuous downpours, particularly as crops approach harvest, could negatively affect soil quality, plant roots, harvesting, storage and the market value of farm produce.
He explained that waterlogged soil reduces the amount of oxygen available to plant roots and increases the risk of root rot caused by fungi, bacteria and other pathogens.
The farmers’ leader also warned that excessive rainfall could cause lodging in improved varieties of rice, maize and other cereals, weakening their stems and causing them to fall before harvest.
Okpahe-Wodah, however, advised farmers in Rivers State and neighbouring areas to embrace climate-smart agricultural practices as a sustainable approach to maintaining food production amid changing weather conditions.
