A prolonged drought in the northern region is causing concern among farmers.
The dry soil, the withered miles, all these are the consequences of lack of adequate rainfall in this area which mainly lives on agricultural products. The most affected farmers in the Benoué department decry the cruel absence of rain in the month of August. They live with fear. One of them, a resident of Garoua
, said that if the situation does not improve quickly, the fields risk being destroyed. Several images of dried out plantations are circulating on social networks, illustrating the extent of the crisis.
Faced with this situation, local authorities and religious communities do not dare to fold their arms. The actions took place in the town Garoua. The lamido of Garoua, Ibrahim El Rachidine, organized three days of prayers and fasting to implore the return of the rains. Also the Christian communities have also increased their prayers. This situation is not without consequences. Because it already influences the eating habits of the population of the North such as GASCHIGA.
However, hope is not lost. The National Observatory on Climate Change (Onacc) has forecast heavy rainfall in several towns in the Northern region, including Garoua, between August 11 and 20, 2024. Although these forecasts provide a glimmer of hope, the ‘Onacc warns of the risks of flooding which could follow.
This situation is reminiscent of other difficult years, such as 2012, but according to some farmers, the region has never been so close to an agricultural disaster as serious as in 2024.
IYA Ibrahima ( intern)
