Farmers count heavy losses in Lagos floods

Farmers across Lagos State are counting heavy losses after persistent flooding submerged farmlands, destroyed crops and delayed planting, raising fears of poor harvests and reduced incomes this season.

Newsmen report that vegetable, maize and cassava farms in parts of Ikorodu, Ojo, Imota and Epe have remained waterlogged for days following sustained rainfall.

The farmers in interviews with reporters on Friday in Lagos expressed fears that the development would affect harvest.

Mr Akin Ojo, a vegetable farmer in Ikorodu, said weeks of hard work were washed away after floodwaters inundated his farm.

“I planted vegetables expecting a good harvest, but after the heavy rainfall, most of the crops were submerged. I have lost a large part of my investment,” he said.

Ojo said the losses had made it difficult to recover production costs or prepare for another planting season.

Mrs Bose Adewale, a farmer in Ojo, described flooding as a recurring challenge that continued to discourage many smallholder farmers.

She said rising production costs, including seeds, fertiliser and labour, had compounded their hardship.

“We borrow money to farm with the hope of making profits after harvest. When floods destroy our farms, repaying those loans becomes a serious challenge,” she said.

Former Chairman of the Imota Farm Settlers Cooperative Society, Mr Babatunde Shadeko, said many farmers had suspended planting because excessive rainfall left farmlands unsuitable for cultivation.

“At the moment, no farmer can plant anything because the soil is still compressed after the flooding and is not suitable for cultivation.

“For now, any farmer hoping to make a profit will have to wait until conditions improve. Vegetable farmers are the only ones that can still farm during this period,” he said.

A maize farmer in Ikorodu, Mr Sola Adebayo, said several hectares of farmland remained waterlogged, forcing many farmers to suspend cultivation.

“We have no option but to wait for the rains to reduce. Planting now will only lead to more losses because the soil is still too wet,” he said.

Similarly, a cassava farmer in Epe, Mrs Funke Oladipo, said the flooding had disrupted farming plans and weakened farmers’ confidence in investing during the rainy season.

She said many farmers were reluctant to take fresh loans because there was no assurance that crops would survive if heavy rainfall persisted.

“If this situation continues, many of us may not harvest enough this season. That will affect our income and eventually food supply in the markets,” she said.

Some farmers warned that continued crop losses could reduce food supplies and push up prices in local markets.

Stakeholders, however, called for improved flood-control infrastructure, wider access to agricultural insurance, affordable credit and greater investment in climate-resilient farming practices to protect farmers’ livelihoods and strengthen food production.