By Ginika Oguji
The recent hike in the prices of petrol in the country is crippling bitterleaf irrigation farmers in Umudioka and its environs, many of whom simply cannot afford to run water pumps anymore have decided to quit till the rains return.
This situation has affected the price of bitterleaf and other vegetables in general at a time when the cost of living is hard for an average citizen.
Speaking with information officer at her farm at Okpu, Umunya, Mrs Victoria Udeh bemoaned the exorbitant cost of fuel, stressing that it has really made it hard for her farming business.
“I buy one litre of petrol as much as #1400, forcing me to abandon some portions of my farm site to focus on the much I can water,” she narrated.
Mr Emeka Nwoye, a bitterleaf farmer at Azu mmiri Umudioka narrating his challenges said that the high cost of fuel has resulted in huge increases in the prices of labour and manure.
“Not so long ago, we use to buy a full tipper load of manure for one hundred thousand naira, currently, that same tipper load is between one hundred and fifty thousand to one hundred and sixty thousand depending on your location making it virtually impossible for most farmers to afford.
“A bundle of bitterleaf now sells between nine thousand and ten thousand naira but this ordinarily should be sold at five thousand naira,” he added.
Traditionally, after seasonal farming activities end, bitterleaf farmers in Umudioka and its environs switch to irrigation methods, making the production of soft, less bitter and tender bitterleaf available throughout the year.
Farmers this time are being compelled to reduce their farm sizes to cope with the rising costs. The situation is particularly dire for irrigation farmers, who rely heavily on fuel to power their water pumps. Many have been forced to abandon their farms, leading to concerns about food insecurity and rising prices of bitterleaf and other vegetables.
Ginika is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State
