Rice farm harvest proceeds to be used for school project and hospital
PREAMBLE
Every season brings to mind certain expectations. In Nigeria, a typical year of 12 months has two main seasons. The rainy season which starts from April to late October or early November as climate change has altered the traditional timing.
The rainy season in Nigeria reminds us that it is time to plant , invest in the ground and hope for a great harvest when harvest time comes when the crops are ripe.
This was the lot of my Selagi community. We had in the dry season kept some rice seedlings waiting anxiously for the new rains.
Statistics has it that Rice is one of the most consumed staples in Nigeria, with a consumption per capita of about 32kg.
It is on record that In the past ten years, consumption has gone up 4.7%, almost four times the global consumption growth, and reached 6.4 million tonnes in 2017 — accounting for c.20% of Africa’s consumption.
It is also said that as at 2011, rice accounted for 10% of household food spending, and 6.6% of total household spending.
With this important analysis, the importance of this commodity cannot be overemphasized. This amounts for the reasons why farmers are encouraged to go into its production.
THE REWARDS OF THE FIRST RAIN
It was April 10th when we experienced heavy pours on the grounds of selagi my little community. A great joy and relief to every farmer around.
The young and aged knew that the heavens were calling on us to do the needful, but what possibly could be the first thing to do with the first rain ?
After much reflection , I decided to go into the cultiavation of the rice seeds which I kept a year ago. So with the help of a power tiller , we cleared a good portion and planted the rice hoping that nature blesses us with a great yield.
It took quite a lot to get this project done . Through enduring pains we patiently executed the project .
Today we are glad to announce and show this family the wonders God brought in the harvest . After putting in much , the reward is worth the sacrifice.
My household is made up of the vulnerable and poor families who live and survive purely by grace and not any planned or workable system or structure .
They all share in my comforts or discomforts with regards to nutrition. Though special attention is always paid to the sick. We live as a community of brethren . The strong among them were happy to work with me on the farms.
USE OF PROCEEDS FROM THE FARM
At the moment projects in my community are moving at a very slow pace due to lack of Funds.
With this harvest, we hope to carry out more work on the school project which is far from completion.
The rest of the funds will be used for hospital to purchase more Mattresses to commence full medical services there . We shall not use these funds for personal affairs.
CONCLUDING REMARKS
For a community that does not have any of its members as an influencer , it is difficult to bring in government presence . This community is not sure of any government presence in the next decade.
This is evident in the collapse of bridges along the link roads due to heavy rains. Such bridges are now reconstructed by local farmers using wood and nails in order to pass with their motorcycles to local markets.
However, with agriculture we are hoping to achieve a lot . We are certain that some essential needs would be made available such as these with which we have proposed our expenditure.