By Atoyebi Nike
Rice farmers in Ebonyi State are warning of a poor harvest this year due to relentless rainfall and widespread flooding that have submerged large farmlands.
Farmers in Izzi and surrounding areas say crops are already turning yellow, with many losing their nursery beds and struggling to transplant.
“We may not expect a bountiful harvest this season,” said Emmanuel Nwali, a local farmer.
Others, like Aloysius Njoku, fear food prices will surge. “Flooding has wiped out much of our farms. If this continues, rice will become scarce and expensive,” he warned.
Ebonyi, a key rice-producing state, is one of the areas forecasted by NiMet to face severe flooding in 2025.
Officials say the state is assessing damage, while agricultural experts urge farmers to pay close attention to climate forecasts before planting.
