SEASONAL POVERTY AMONGST IMO STATE FARMERS: THE EFFECT OF CLIMATE CHANGE

Imo State, a tropical region in southeastern Nigeria, is known for its abundant water bodies.

From the famous Imo River to Otammiri, Onu Ukwu in Owerri North, Njaba River, Orashi River, and Oguta Lake, these natural blessings have long set the state apart from neighboring Enugu and Anambra, where access to water can be as difficult as climbing onto a camel’s back without help.

For years, these rivers and streams have been the lifeline of farmers in Imo State.

Many cultivate their farmlands near these water sources, ensuring they can grow crops in and out of season.

Unlike their counterparts who rely solely on rainfall, these riverside farmers enjoy year-round farming. Corn, a crop typically associated with the rainy season, thrives even in the dry season, thanks to the consistent water supply.

The farmers, a mix of full-time agriculturalists, retirees, and pensioners, depend entirely on their harvests for survival.

Some specialize in growing lush, green curry leaves, which they take to different markets to sell. Others cultivate scent leaves, bitter leaves, peppers, tomatoes, and more.

Their farms have always been productive, their baskets filled with fresh produce, their pockets lined, no matter the season.

But lately, a harsh reality has set in. Rivers that once nourished their lands are drying up.

One of the most affected rivers is Okitankwu, located on the Emekuku axis of the Owerri North Local Government Area.

Once a vibrant river that sustained not just farmers but the entire community, Okitankwu was a place of activity, washing, swimming, fishing, and farming.

Emekuku, Awaka, Azaraegbelu and other neighbouring communities all depended on it. But today, the river has all but disappeared.

We spoke with Mr. Damian, a 73-year-old community member of the Nkwo Emeke clan, who shared his memories of the river and the hardship its disappearance has brought.

“Okitankwu wu otu mmiri nno anyi nduu anyi nwere ike ikpokwa Onyinye Chukwu jiri jaa anyi mma, mana agbanyeghi na ihe hiri nne emela na mmiri a, anyi nabatara ngozi ya.

“Na ihe gbasara ajuju ijurum na otu ndi na ako ugbo si emege ugbua, tupu ugbua, ndi nwere ala na akuku mmiri ahu bu ndi obi uto kachasi eme n'ihi na ha na akoputa ihe ha na eri ma na udu mmiri ma na okochi. mana ugbua odighi otu ahu.

 Anyi nnoro otu ubochi hota na Okitankwu enweghizi mmiri ozo, Okitankwu atala, arima mmiri nno ya ozo, ufodu n'ime anyi kwenyere na aka akpara ya shie na ana aru Akwa mmiri na elu ya wu ihe mere ojiri taa.

Ka odi ugbua, ndi ji oru ugbo enweta ego dika ha na akonye ihe na ala ha Oge obula, anaghizie ako ozo, maka mmiri Okitankwu ata laa."

In translation, he said:

Okitankwu is one of the rivers we in Emekuku can call our own, a source of water God blessed us with. Despite the tragedies that have occurred there, we count its blessings more.

Regarding your question about how farmers are coping, those who had their farmlands close to the river were once the happiest people.

They farmed in and out of season, never waiting for the rains. But suddenly, one day, the river stopped flowing, just like that.

Some of us believe the road construction that passed through it, which led to the building of a bridge, caused it to dry up.

Now, those farmers who once harvested all year round no longer have that privilege. They must wait for the rainy season before they can plant, something they never had to do before.

We also spoke with Mrs. Amara, one of the many farmers who once thrived on Okitankwu’s waters. Now, her farmlands are barren.

Those grasses you see withered over there used to be lush and green all year round. But since the river dried up two or three years ago, everything has changed. During the rainy season, we see a little water, but once the rains stop, it dries up again.

We are suffering. Farming is all we know. Many of us have no other jobs. We sit and wait for the rains before we can plant, and in the meantime, we go hungry. Some have abandoned farming altogether, turning to other trades just to survive.

Residents of Emekuku still wonder why Okitankwu dried up when its counterpart, Onu Ukwu River in Azaraegbelu, still flows although not as strongly as before, due to ongoing sand dredging activities.

The truth is, that Okitankwu's disappearance is not just the result of road construction or dredging. It is part of a larger crisis climate change.

The world is changing. Temperatures are rising. Water levels are dropping. Rivers that once seemed eternal are now vanishing before our eyes. For the farmers of Imo State, this is not just an environmental issue, it is a battle for survival.