Brava: Farmers confident of a good agricultural year despite difficulties

In statements to Inforpress, the spokesman for the farmers in Cova Rodela, João Mendes, pointed out that even with the lack of labor, they sowed their crops as soon as the first rains fell and are currently replenishing the corn that the scrub hens have eaten, as well as preparing for weeding.

According to the same source, some farmers have been experiencing a shortage of maize seed to make their replacement sowings after the scrub hen attacks.

"At the start of sowing I had a certain amount of seed that I used to make the first sowings, but with the pests I felt the need to sow again, but I only got a little from a friend of mine. We used to buy from the Ministry of Agriculture, but now they don't have any corn available," he said.

However, the farmer said that they have already ordered the seed from neighboring islands and are waiting for it to arrive in the municipality.

Joaquim Fernandes, another farmer from the community of Figueiral, stressed that although the rains were late this year, he was hopeful of a good agricultural year.

"I've already sown with a lot of difficulty, due to various factors, but even so I'm very confident that we'll have a good agricultural year. I've done my bit, the rest is in God's hands," said the farmer.

For his part, an official from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment confirmed that at the moment the institution has no corn seeds available, but that it still has some beans.

The Week with Inforpress