CHALLENGES OF DRY SEASON FARMING AND SUGARCANE PRODUCTION IN DOMA NASARAWA STATE

¹J.B. Ari., ² B. A. Dogo (PhD), ³A. Abdulrasheed

ABSTRACT

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) is a genus of tall perennial grasses (familily poaceae, tribe Andropogoneae) and native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the old world. Sugarcane has stout, jointed and fibrous stalks that are rich in sugar and can measure more than 3 meters tall. It has a very high potential for biomass production and has other advantages such as being perennial adaptable to most types of soil, resistant to most diseases and a guard against soil erosion. It is traditionally cultivated and processed for sugar; however, it can be envisaged as a multipurpose crop with a potentially important role in integrated industries, biofuel production, and electricity. Sugarcane production is predominantly carried-out by indigenous farmers in Doma LGA, Nasarawa State. Despite the large harvest and practicing of dry season farming and sugarcane production, the challenges of dry season farming and sugarcane production became laudable in study area. The study examined the current challenges and constraints of dry season farming and sugarcane production in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State. Data for this study were generated through questionnaire, in depth assessment/interviews, direct and personal observation. The data generated from the questionnaires were subjected to descriptive and inferential analysis using frequencies, percentages, univariate and bivariate analysis. The study revealed that majority (60%) of the farmers have wide knowledge on sugarcane cultivation and during dry season farming. Majority (40%) acknowledged sugarcane production have challenges which include biological and technological constraint. Lack of soil improvement conditions, markets, and transportation were the major problems encountered by the dry season farmers and sugarcane farmers. As they express their experience it showed that this challenges reduces in the area. The paper therefore recommends that government’s intervention in providing funds to the farmers to boost their dry season farming and sugarcane production. The funds can be in the form of loans, grant and subsidies. It also recommended that government, NGOs and the farmers to provide new farming technologies in the area tractors, Giant Pumping Machines Standard boreholes and fertilizers should be provided to farmers at subsidized rate. 

Keywords: Challenges, Dry Season Farming, Famers, Sugarcane Production