An agricultural expert, Mr Thomas Unongo, has observed that the prolonged absence of rains in Benue could lead to famine as many crops were beginning to wither.
Unongo, who is the Director, Agricultural Services, Benue State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, made the observation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Thursday in Makurdi.
“Prolonged absence of rains can lead to loss of moisture in the soil, thereby affecting crops which might lead to famine.
“In order to tackle drought, farmers should strive to plant only drought resistance crops for their overall good and that of the society,’’ he said.
He further advised farmers to apply only liquid and crystalline fertiliser through foliar application during drought period.
“They should avoid the use of herbicides to weed farmland during this period of drought.
“The farmers should mulch newly planted seeds or seedlings,’’ Unongo advised, adding they should irrigate all newly planted seedlings and small scale farms of less than quarter hectare.