Agriculture stakeholders in Niger State faced significant setbacks as farmers with disabilities participating in the federal government and International Fund for Agricultural Development-assisted Value Chain Development Programme recorded low yields during the 2026 agricultural season, prompting urgent demands for better meteorological guidance and early-maturing seed varieties.
Key facts from the recent assessment exercise indicate that the affected farmers cultivate across nine local government areas in Niger State, focusing primarily on rice, maize, soybeans, and cowpea. The leadership noted that late planting at the end of May and insufficient rainfall heavily impacted production, with rice yields suffering the most. Mohamed Abubakar Enagi, Chairman of the Niger State Farmers with Disabilities, stated, "We need guidance on the right time to plant and the type of seeds to use, especially early-maturing varieties, so that we can improve our harvest."
What caused the poor harvest outcomes for these farmers?
According to the leadership of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, AFAN, unfavorable weather patterns combined with delayed cultivation timelines severely restricted agricultural output. Enagi reported that despite planting on a half-hectare of land, the rice crop failed to thrive due to erratic rainfall. However, the group managed to gather over nine bags of maize and eight bags of soybeans, while cowpea harvests remained pending.
Beyond climatic challenges, the farmers highlighted high labor costs as a major hurdle. Because individuals with disabilities often require external assistance to manage farm operations, many exhausted their personal savings and resorted to borrowing money to sustain their agricultural activities.
How is the agricultural program responding to these challenges?
Addressing the feedback, Hajiya Maimuna Abubakar Ahmed, the VCDP Rural Institution, Gender and Youth Officer in Niger State, confirmed that 262 farmers living with disabilities are currently registered in the database. She explained that beneficiaries receive targeted support including fertilizers, herbicides, protective gear, and processing equipment based on structured business plans.
Regarding weather advisories, Ahmed noted that while meteorological updates are regularly dispatched to participants, communication gaps occur when farmers alter or misplace their mobile contact numbers. She assured stakeholders that authorities are actively updating the database to ensure seamless information delivery and better advisory services moving forward.