Kaduna Rain: Umbrella vendors happy, farmers lament crops loss

With heavy downpours in Kaduna, vendors say they are experiencing an unprecedented boost in umbrella sales as farmers mourn the loss of their crops.

August recorded the highest rainfall in Kaduna, averaging 11.8 inches.

Yusuf Samari, an umbrella vendor in the metropolis, said he made at least N500 gain daily from sales of umbrellas since the season’s commencement.

“Before the rainy season, umbrellas sold for N800 to N2500, depending on the size, but the situation is not the same now. The cost has risen astronomically this year because rainfall has intensified, thereby raising the demand for umbrellas,” he said.

Haruna Musa, another umbrella vendor, said he usually made more sales from customers caught in traffic along major roads within the metropolis.

“I was making between N1,500 to N3,000 sales every day before the rains started, but now, I make not less than N10,000,” Mr Musa said.

Also, Ibrahim Sadiq at Kaduna Central market said that although business thrived during other seasons, more sales were recorded during the rainy season, especially in August.

“Our peak season is the rainy season, and I can make up to N15,000 to N20,000 in a week from sales of umbrellas,” Mr Sadiq said.

Deborah Nahum, a civil servant, said she purchased the umbrella because it had become necessary due to the persistent rainfall, especially in August.

Also, Emmanuela Bature, a student, said umbrellas came in handy to avoid missing necessary appointments.

However, farmers are “mourning” the “demise” of a substantial quantity of their produce damaged by excessive rain.

Abdullahi Salihu, a rice and maize farmer, said, “We need clear weather and a dry atmosphere for the harvest of rice and maize that were planted early in May this year. They have matured, but because of the rainfall, they remained on the farm and have started spoiling.”

Another farmer, Usman Aliya, said even the produce harvested and taken home needed sun rays to dry completely before storage.

“It has been raining cats and dogs, and most of our harvested produce needs to be completely dry before storage. Otherwise, they will spoil if packaged in a sack for a long period,” he said.

(NAN)