In order to guide against early loss of crops ,The Executive Director, National Cereals Research Institute (NCRI ), Dr. Aliyu Umar has advised farmers to hesitate from rushing into planting with the first rainfall.
Dr Umar, who issued the advice,in an interview with journalists in Baddegi, in Niger State ,
said that the advice became necessary as crops planted with the first rain might be consumed by heat,9 with the storage of the rain .
He urged farmers 8 to wait for another rainfall in order to prevent losses.
While describing the early rains across the country as good, he cautioned farmers not to rush into planting, saying, “If any farmer wants to use this first rain to plant, such farmer should ensure the storage of enough water to wet their crops if the rain did not continue .
Dr. Umar explained that the first rain should prompt the crop farmers to start clearing their farms, not to plant crops.
He enjoined farmers to embrace mixed cropping due to its advantages as well as purchase farming inputs from reputable sources to avoid wasting their money on adulterated inputs, which have been on the increase in markets.
The executive director assured farmers that NCRI would continue to provide quality seeds to boost agricultural production and food security in the country.
