Introduction
September is an important month for many farmers in Nigeria. The rainy season is still active in many parts of the country, but the end of the season is also getting closer.
For farmers, this is a time to pay close attention to their crops, prepare for harvest and start thinking about what comes next. A few good decisions in September can help reduce losses and improve the final harvest.
Here are seven important farm tasks Nigerian farmers should focus on in September.
1. Inspect Your Crops Regularly
Do not leave the farm unattended for long periods.
Walk through the fields and look closely at the crops. Check for insects, diseases, weeds, poor growth and areas where water is collecting.
A small problem can become a bigger one when it is ignored. Regular checks help you notice changes early and take the right action.
If you are not sure what is affecting your crop, speak to an agricultural extension officer or use a reliable source such as the National Farmers Helpline by NAERLS, which provides information on crops, farm practices, pests, inputs, markets and other agricultural issues.
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2. Control Weeds
Weeds compete with crops for water, nutrients, sunlight, and space. With enough moisture in the soil, they can grow quickly during the rainy season.
Walk through the farm and remove weeds that are affecting your crops. Depending on the crop and its stage of growth, farmers may use hand weeding, farm tools, or suitable herbicides.
However, do not use a chemical simply because you see weeds. Make sure the product is suitable for the crop and follow the instructions on its label.
Good weed control at this stage can also make harvesting easier later.
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3. Start Preparing for Harvest
If your crops are getting close to maturity, start preparing now.
Think about the labour you will need, harvesting tools, bags, transportation and where the produce will be kept after harvest.
Do not wait until the crops are completely ready before making these plans.
You should also keep checking the crops so that you can harvest at the right time. Harvesting too early can affect quality, while leaving mature crops in the field for too long can expose them to rain, pests, birds and other losses.
NAERLS’ agricultural performance surveys also monitor issues such as crop production, pests and diseases, post-harvest losses, markets and commodity prices, showing how closely these areas are connected in farming.
4. Start Looking for Buyers
If your crops will soon be ready, do not wait until harvest before looking for a market.
Start talking to traders, processors, aggregators, cooperatives and other possible buyers. Tell them what you are producing, where the farm is located, how much you expect to have and when it should be ready.
You can also use online platforms to reach buyers. The Agriculture Nigeria Marketplace provides a place for farmers, buyers, processors and other agricultural businesses to connect.
Checking prices before accepting an offer is also important. The National Farmers Helpline provides market and price information that farmers can use when making decisions.
Finding buyers early gives you more time to compare offers instead of rushing to sell when the produce is already sitting on the farm.
5. Check Drainage and Waterlogged Areas
Heavy rain can cause problems when water cannot leave the farm properly.
Walk around the field after heavy rainfall and look for places where water stays for too long. Where appropriate, clear blocked drainage channels and make sure excess water has a safe path away from the crops.
Too much water around the roots can affect plant growth and create conditions that favour some diseases.
This is particularly important for farms in low-lying areas or places that regularly experience flooding.
6. Prepare Your Storage Space
A farmer can produce a good harvest and still lose money because of poor storage.
Before harvesting, check your store and make sure it is clean, dry and suitable for the produce you want to keep.
Remove old grain, rubbish and materials that could attract insects or rodents. Check for holes or openings where pests can enter and repair them where necessary.
For crops such as maize, rice and soybean, proper drying before storage is very important. Produce with too much moisture can develop mould and spoil more quickly.
Good post-harvest handling is an important part of protecting the value of your harvest. NAERLS includes post-harvest losses and commodity markets among the areas covered in its agricultural performance assessments.
7. Start Planning for Dry-Season Farming
While you are still managing your rainy-season crops, it is also a good time to think about the next farming cycle.
If you plan to grow vegetables or other crops during the dry season, start thinking about your land, water supply, seeds, fertiliser, labour and irrigation needs.
Water is especially important. Do not wait until planting time before asking where the irrigation water will come from.
Work out the likely cost and decide what you can realistically manage.
Planning early gives you more time to prepare and can help you avoid unnecessary expenses.
What Farmers Should Not Ignore
The period around the end of the rainy season can be very busy, so it is easy to focus only on the crops and forget about the business side of farming.
Keep proper records of your expected harvest, expenses, potential buyers and prices.
Also keep an eye on weather conditions. If you need reliable agricultural information, the National Farmers Helpline provides advisory services on crops, irrigation, markets, fertiliser and other farming matters.
Conclusion
There is plenty to do on the farm at this time of year. Regular crop inspection, weed control, harvest preparation, finding buyers, drainage checks, proper storage and early dry-season planning can all help farmers protect their investment.
You do not have to wait until a problem becomes serious before doing something about it.
Walk through your farm. Check your crops. Make your plans early.
A little preparation now can save you money and reduce problems when harvest time arrives.