The heavy downpour of rain in the month of October has compelled Foroyaa to contact the authorities at the Department of Water Resources. The chief meteorological officer was asked for the forecast on the end of the rainy season. He confirmed that according to their findings the downpour will continue until 26th October, 2025.
Foroyaa also approached the Department of Agricultural Services to find out what advice they have for the farming community. Many farmers were debating whether to harvest their crops or not. The Regional Director of Agriculture in URR cautioned that the downpour is likely to continue in October and therefore advised farmers not to harvest their crops under such circumstances.
Speaking to the farmers Foroyaa gathered contradictory information on what they should do with their crops under the heavy downpour of rain. According to the farmers, the unseasonal rain has softened the ground to easily harvest their crops. They argue that if they do not harvest their crops they will continue to germinate under the heavy downpour of rain.
The agricultural authorities cautioned that if the crops are harvested under the rain farmers are likely to have mouldy nuts after threshing their nuts. They have advised those who are harvesting their crops now that a method of drying them should be utilised that will prevent the exposure of their harvested crops to the heavy downpour of rain.
In our view, the knowledge base of agriculture needs to be refined and conveyed to the farmers so that the country will continue to have nuts. Foroyaa will continue to monitor the rest of the season up to the sale of the groundnuts. The prices are yet to be set and there should be no delay in that regard, since some farmers have started harvesting their nuts.
