Farmers lament losses, experts warn of food shortage

The COVID-19 outbreak is already taking its toll on all sectors of the economy, including agriculture, with the pandemic inflicting damages worth millions to farmers and agro-processors across the country.

In Kano State, noted for its thriving poultry business, reports indicate that farmers are ready for harvesting but couldn't do that due to the lockdown order occasioned by the pandemic.

"Presently, the major problem poultry farmers are experiencing is not related to chicken, but in the demand and supply for eggs.

Not a good time for fish farmers

The National President of Catfish and Allied Fish Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAFFAN), Mr Rotimi Oloye, said right now, local markets are grossly "inadequate to take local supplies and with curfew here and there, the market is marked off."

Why experts are worried

Mr Ezekiel Ibrahim Mam, a renowned poultry farmer, fears that the country may face starvation next year due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.