Early rain: Expert advises farmers against early planting

Farmers in Ekiti have been advised against planting of crops following early rainfall being recorded.

An agriculturalist, Mr Durojaye Omole, gave the advice in Ikole, Ekiti, on Wednesday in an interview with NAN.

He noted that the ground was not wet enough for planting despite the downpour in recent days.

Omole said the rain has been patchy and storm-driven, saying ``this indicates that soaking rain has not been experienced in most areas.

``Though rainfall is becoming unpredictable these days but it is sure that dry season has not gone and grains planted now would dry up few weeks after germination,`` he warned.

He, however, said that cassava growers with stems already packed for cultivation could begin planting, saying cassava could survive drought for some weeks after germination.

Omole urged cash crops farmers such as cocoa and kola nut tree growers to begin spraying of the trees with chemicals against diseases that could reduce their produce.

He urged farmers to expand their cultivation in the forthcoming season in order to boost food production, which would in turn increase their produce and income.