By: Sukari Mohammed
Residents of Lanle village in Pategi Local Government Area are predominantly rice farmers. Their forebearers cultivated the land and reaped bountiful harvests in abundance. However, in recent years, they have faced a devastating blow from the recurrent floods of River Eche, which ravage their farmlands. This catastrophe has left many of them without a harvest, crippling their sole source of livelihood and economy.
Despite these adversities, the farmers displayed resilience, determined to reclaim their lands and revive rice cultivation. They have tried the implementation of several flood prevention techniques, their strives for a successful harvest annually still often end in disappointment.
In 2022, An assessment conducted by the National Agricultural Extension and Research Liaison Services (NAERLS), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria on the 2022 flood in Nigeria and its implication on agriculture, estimated N700 billion in economic value has been lost to damages caused by the 2022 floods in the Nigeria’s agricultural-related sector.
This include the loss of 8.4 million tonnes of fourteen crop varieties output, valued at N384.4 billion with the fish sector accounted for the loss of N100.2 billion, while over N93.04 billion was also lost in the livestock sector.
In addition, the overall lost to the impact of the floods on agricultural structures and farmlands amounted to over 120 billion naira with 863,648 hectares of farmlands affected.
Alhaji Muhammad Lesa, a farmer and one of Lanle’s elders, called for government intervention to safeguard his people’s livelihoods.
He said, “I have been tirelessly advocating for government’s intervention to address this issue and protect the livelihoods of the people in his community. I urge the government to prioritize this and take immediate action to address the problem. Our people are suffering and we need help to improve our living conditions.”
A National Bureau of Statistics, NBS, report has shown that 69.2 percent of households in Nigeria were left in hunger due to the impact of flood in 2022-2023.
The survey report, titled: “Nigeria Flood Impact, Recovery and Mitigation Assessment Report for 2022-2023” also showed that 52 percent of households in the flood affected areas recorded total loss of business and income.
For Adamu Mohammed Emigi, a resident of Emigi village, a neighbouring community, he shared their ongoing struggle to curtail the relentless flooding, which has rendered their rice fields unusable in recent years due to the changing climate.
In spite of seeking help from local authorities, their efforts to mitigate the floods have been in vain, forcing Adamu to resort to alternative crops and distant farmlands to sustain his family.
The continuous disruptions caused by the flooding have taken a heavy toll on the villagers’ livelihoods, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable solutions to address the recurring flooding.
This devastation has had a profound impact on the community, bringing their annual rice harvest of over 10,000 bags to a halt. This loss not only affects their livelihoods but also jeopardizes their ability to provide for their families and support their children’s education.
Before the destruction, the farms were the lifeblood of the community, ensuring food security, education, and prosperity for all. Now, with the farms in ruins, the communities are left grappling for alternative income sources and support, facing an arduous journey of rebuilding and recovery.
