Niger PWD farmers seek planting guidance after poor harvest

Farmers with disabilities in Niger State, participating in the Federal Government and International Fund for Agricultural Development-supported Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), have requested improved guidance on planting periods and early-maturing crop varieties following disappointing harvests during the 2026 season. The farmers, who cultivate rice, maize, soybeans, and cowpea, spoke during a feedback session on empowerment support provided to persons with disabilities under the programme in nine local government areas.

Mohamed Abubakar Enagi, chairman of the Niger State Farmers with Disabilities and director representing farmers with disabilities on the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), reported that the group's rice harvest was severely impacted by inadequate rainfall, resulting in low yields. They have harvested more than nine bags of maize, eight bags of soybeans, and yet to harvest their cowpea crop.

Enagi acknowledged late planting as another contributing factor, stating that they initiated cultivation in late May. He emphasized the need for guidance on the optimal planting time and seed types, particularly early-maturing varieties, to enhance future harvests. The cost of labor also posed a challenge, as farmers with disabilities often needed to hire extra workers due to their inability to perform all farming tasks independently.

Some members had depleted their resources and resorted to borrowing to sustain their operations. Despite receiving farm inputs and training through VCDP, Enagi stressed that farmers required more practical advice to prevent losses in subsequent seasons. Hajiya Maimuna Abubakar Ahmed, the VCDP Rural Institution, Gender and Youth Officer in Niger State, confirmed that 262 farmers with disabilities are registered in the program's database, engaged in various activities in the rice and cassava value chains.

The programme offers a dedicated budget for supporting persons with disabilities, providing inputs such as fertilizers, herbicides, protective equipment, farm inputs, and processing machines. Ahmed explained that the programme identifies beneficiaries' needs through business plans covering production, processing, and marketing, and conducts field assessments to evaluate the support provided.

She noted that VCDP sends weather advisories to beneficiaries but expressed concern that some may not receive them if they change or lose their contact details. Ahmed acknowledged that insufficient rainfall affected the farmers' yields and that some also planted late. She mentioned that the programme is training farmers to consider production costs, expected returns, and available resources before expanding their farms.