By Fatima Muraina
The Project Manager of the Agroclimatology Department of the Ondo State Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Adewale Olajide, has called for proactive flood control measures to protect farmlands and safeguard farmers’ investments from the growing impacts of climate change.
Olajide who made the call in an interview with THE HOPE, urged farmers not to relent in their farming activities despite the frequent rainfall being experienced across the country,
He noted that although the current weather conditions remain favourable for rainy season farming, flooding has become one of the greatest threats to agricultural production, with many farmers suffering significant financial losses from the recurring natural disaster.
He advised farmers to take full advantage of the abundant rainfall by intensifying routine farm management practices, particularly regular weeding, to ensure healthy crop growth and improved yields.
He opined that the frequency of weeding depends on the type of crop being cultivated and the size of the farm.
Cassava farmers, he said, should weed at least twice a month during the peak of the rainy season to minimise weed competition, while owners of large commercial farms may need to adopt continuous weeding by rotating labour across different sections of their farms.
Olajide explained that the rapid growth of weeds during the rainy season makes regular maintenance essential, stressing that maize farmers, in particular, must keep their fields weed-free throughout the growing period to prevent weeds from competing with crops for nutrients, water and sunlight.
The agroclimatologist also outlined seasonal activities for other crops, advising oil palm farmers to establish nurseries and apply fertiliser, while rice farmers should also fertilise their fields and strengthen security around their farms.
He added that upland rice harvesting is already underway in many farming communities.
On general farm operations, Olajide observed that farmers are currently harvesting some crops while planting others.