Farmers in parts of Enugu State are blaming alleged rainmaking activities for an unusual drought that has devastated crops and raised fears of looming food insecurity in the region.
The dry spell, which set in shortly after the onset of the planting season, has left many farmlands scorched and crops dead, particularly in rural communities such as Udenu and Nsukka local government areas.
“We planted cassava and maize during the early rains in April,” said Levi Odo, a farmer from Ezimo in Udenu.
“Just when the crops were beginning to grow well, the rains stopped. All our crops have died.
“We tried watering them, but it couldn’t be sustained. I don’t know the cause of this drought. This should be the peak period for rainfall.”
Odo, like many others, fears that the failure of crops could lead to hunger in the months ahead.
Fabian Nnadi, another farmer in the area, described the situation as a personal and communal tragedy. “I cultivated a large area for cassava, but the entire farm is now dry. The stems are dead, and even the beans withered first.
“This hardship in Nigeria is unending. We thought farming would at least put food on our tables, but now, even that hope is gone,” he lamented.
In Nru, a community in Nsukka LGA, Elder John Odo expressed frustration that rain appears to be falling in some nearby communities but consistently bypasses his area. “The clouds gather like it will rain, but nothing happens.
“Later, we hear that rain fell somewhere else. I don’t know if rainmakers are behind this. Our crops are dying, and we may be heading for famine if this continues,” he said.
Some residents suspect that the drought may be linked to traditional rainmakers who were reportedly hired during the Easter celebrations to prevent rainfall from disrupting social events.
“Many people held weddings and festivals during Easter,” said Meletus Eze, a resident of Udenu. “They hired rainmakers to stop the rain, but no one knows how that may have affected the larger weather system.
“These spiritual practices may have tampered with the natural rainfall pattern,” he said.
A survey conducted by THE WHISTLER across various communities revealed that many farms have been abandoned, while others remain barren or bear withered crops due to the prolonged dry spell.
As of press time, officials from the Enugu State Ministry of Agriculture have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the drought or the farmers’ allegations.
However, agricultural experts warn that prolonged periods of irregular rainfall, whether due to natural or human-influenced factors, could severely impact food supply in the state.
Meteorologists have also noted a growing pattern of climate unpredictability in the region, often worsened by deforestation, poor environmental practices, and urban expansion.
“If this drought continues, we are not just looking at poor harvests but serious food shortages by the end of the year,” said one agricultural extension officer who spoke on condition of anonymity.
For now, farmers in Enugu are left to hope for rain—and answers.
