Oyo farmers struggle as poor irrigation cripples dry-season farming

Farmers in Oyo State are facing mounting challenges as inadequate irrigation infrastructure continues to undermine dry-season farming, raising concerns over potential food shortages in the coming months.

The Smallholder Women Farmers Organisation in Nigeria (SWOFON), Oyo chapter, said the lack of reliable water supply systems has severely affected productivity, particularly among women farmers who depend heavily on small-scale agriculture for livelihood.

Speaking in Ibadan on Monday, the state chairperson of SWOFON, Atinuke Akinbade, described the 2025 dry farming season as especially difficult, noting that many farmers were unable to maximise their output due to limited access to irrigation.

According to her, older farmers were largely unable to participate in dry-season farming, while younger farmers who attempted cultivation could not operate at full capacity due to water shortages.

She explained that many farmers relied on natural water sources such as streams and wells, most of which dried up or failed to provide sufficient water to sustain crops throughout the season. As a result, some were forced to purchase water from commercial tankers, significantly increasing production costs.

In many cases, even access to purchased water proved unreliable, compounding the difficulties faced by farmers already grappling with unpredictable weather patterns.

Akinbade warned that the situation could worsen food insecurity if urgent interventions are not introduced, especially as irregular rainfall continues to delay the onset of the new planting season.

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The challenges faced by farmers reflect a broader intersection of infrastructure deficits and climate variability, which together are placing increasing strain on agricultural productivity.

Akinbade noted that inconsistent rainfall patterns have created a “double burden” for farmers, as both dry-season and early rainy-season farming cycles are now affected. She warned that without strategic investment in irrigation systems, many farmers may continue to record losses, ultimately impacting food supply and prices.

Despite acknowledging government efforts to support farmers through training programmes, she said interventions have largely focused on small-scale initiatives such as home gardening, with limited impact on large-scale production challenges.

According to her, support packages provided to members included small quantities of maize and pepper seeds, alongside a sprayer, which she said were insufficient to address the structural issues affecting farming.

Other members of the organisation echoed similar concerns, highlighting the practical difficulties encountered in sourcing water during the dry season.

The SWOFON coordinator in Oyo East, Oluwatoyin Oyedeji, said many farmers are already counting their losses after struggling to irrigate their farms due to water scarcity.

She noted that streams and brooks, which typically serve as primary water sources, either dried up completely or provided minimal supply, forcing farmers to dig deeper in search of water.

Similarly, the women’s leader in Saki East, Musiliu Ashiru, said the absence of irrigation facilities has made dry-season farming increasingly unsustainable in her area.

She added that farmers who persisted with cultivation had to purchase water from nearby dams to keep their crops alive, further increasing their financial burden.

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The group urged the government to prioritise irrigation development and provide more targeted support to farmers, warning that without immediate action, the combined effects of climate stress and inadequate infrastructure could have lasting consequences on food security in the state.