Farmers in Konduga Local Government Area of Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, say they recorded better harvests during the 2026 rainy season, following improved access to farmland after years of insecurity.

The farmers said improved security allowed them to cultivate plots farther from their homes, unlike previous seasons when insecurity forced many to restrict farming activities to areas close to their communities.

Gujja, an elder farmer, expressed excitement over the outcome of this year’s farming season, describing it as a successful year and thanking God for the harvest.

He said farmers cultivated a variety of crops, including beans, maize, groundnuts, millet and sesame.

“This year, we had the grace to go farther to farm in places where, unlike last year, we were limited to farming in our backyards because of insecurity,” Gujja said.

He listed Bazamri, Mairamri, Towairi, Bulaburin, Ngau Njiye, Sama’a and Wutroi among the locations where farmers were able to cultivate their land.

Kadai, a groundnut farmer, also described this year’s farming season as more productive than the previous one, when farmers harvested significantly less.

Some farmers have already begun harvesting crops, including groundnuts and millet.

“It has been over 11 years since we experienced such progressive farming. For over a decade, we were displaced,” Kadai said.

He said many farmers had recorded significant improvements in their harvests, adding that he also harvested substantial quantities of maize and beans.

“At a point, when we went with our sacks to harvest groundnuts and maize, we ran out of sacks and had to ask for more,” he said.

Konduga, located about 37 kilometres by road from Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, has experienced years of insecurity linked to the insurgency in northeastern Nigeria. The violence has disrupted agricultural activities, displaced communities and restricted farmers’ access to their fields.

The farmers attributed their improved access to farmland this season to the efforts of security personnel, who they said patrolled farming areas, provided protection while they worked and escorted them back afterwards.

Gujja appealed to the Borno State Government to expand access to farmland to enable farmers to cultivate larger areas in subsequent farming seasons.

With the harvest bringing renewed optimism, farmers said they hoped to travel even farther to cultivate their fields next season, while praying for lasting peace and improved security across Borno State.

FALMATA AMINA MOHAMMED