According to local reports on Wednesday, some 995 rice farms spread across 16 villages in Kuzunzumi ward alone had been devastated by heavy, ongoing rains in Jigawa State’s Babura Local Government Area.
The impacted villages’ spokesperson, Abdurahman MaiKano, issued a warning on Tuesday that the floods may result in food shortages and the loss of livelihoods.
“This disaster has put many families at risk. We urgently appeal to the state government and relevant agencies to come to our aid and alleviate the hardship, ” he said.
Kwagga/Martini, Fadibara, Kuzunzumi, Jikan Kanwa/Fulani, Dangaigai, Dankarda, Karfawa/Kanawa, Burukum Gari, Sabuwar Baka, Shashatu, Burukum Fulani, and Kurtulla are among the villages most severely affected.
To stop more damage, locals are requesting long-term flood control measures, agricultural assistance, and emergency relief.
According to several farmers, the floods occur nearly every year.
Suraja Muhammad said, “We face these challenges every year. The government needs to engage experts to help prevent and control these recurrent floods.”
Another farmer named Musa bemoaned the fact that many hectares of rice farms—a crucial staple and source of revenue—had been destroyed by the floods.
He added that if immediate action is not taken, the upcoming planting season may be negatively impacted. “This not only threatens farmers’ incomes but also raises fears of a wider food crisis ahead, ” he warned.
According to reports, Hamisu Garu, the chairman of the Babura Local Government, has dispatched a delegation to visit the impacted communities and express sympathy for the farmers who are in trouble.
According to Daudu Sulaiman, Babura LGA’s zonal information officer, “The flooding has dealt a severe blow to farmers and threatens food security in the region. The resilience of Babura’s farming communities is being severely tested.”
Farmers and local officials are still urging the government to act quickly to minimize losses and stop the destruction from happening again during future rainy seasons.