Developments in the agicultural sector during the second quarter of 1988.

Abstract

During this quarter, good weather conditions and manifestation of conscious efforts by both farmers and the government to enhance agricultural output continued to be apparent throughout the country. On the average, total rainfall per state during the quarter was about 181.0mm compared with 116.8mm for the corresponding quarter of last year. The intensity and distribution of rainfall were such that would encourage farming activities throughout the country. There was also an appreciable improvement in farm input distribution. Total fertiliser distributed to farmers between January and June was 305,750 tonnes, representing an increase of 7.4 per cent over the level for the corresponding period of 1987. Consequently, by the end of June, farmers in the southern states which recorded rains early in the year had started to harvest early crops such as maize and vegetables, and there was high expectation for good harvest for other crops such as rice, yam, cassava and beans. In the north, farmers started harvesting vegetables and onions, while there were widespread reports that grain and tuber fields were doing well. So far, there has been no major development that would likely jeopardise the envisaged good harvest in the 1988 cropping season. Reports of serious soil erosion were however reported in Anambra, Cross River and Imo States.