Maigatari is one of the local government areas in the Sahelian zone of Jigawa State with long dry season and short wet season.
The semi-arid agrarian area sometimes experiences delayed onset and early cessation of rainfall, sometimes with occasional dry spell.
In Maigatari, the dry spell is persisting as crops in the area are seen showing moisture stress signs.
Malam Salisu Shu’aibu Hussaini, a farmer in Maigatari town, said intermittent dry spell in the area is raising fear of reduction in crop yield.
“Last year, we planted our crops around May and early June, but this year because of the delay of the onset, planting began in July.”
When asked about the effect of low rainfall in the area, Shu’aibu said, “the crops are of course wilting because there is no moisture to nourish them. The issue is, the rain ceased at the critical stage of its demand by the crops.”
As harvest in places like Gombe state is in full swing, farmers in Maigatari are yet to commence the activity because onset was delayed and occasional dry spell is being experienced.