Nigeria, Feb. 1 -- Thousands of farmers from across the country have moved to Taraba State in search of land for dry-season rice farming, leading to a sharp rise in the cost of renting farmland.

Farmers report that the cost of land for irrigation has increased by nearly 300% due to the high demand.

A visit to several irrigation sites in the state revealed that farmers from northern states such as Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Yobe, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kano, Kaduna, and Kebbi are heavily represented.

Farmers from southern states, including those in the South-South, South-West, and South-East regions, have also joined the agricultural activity in Taraba this year.

The key irrigation areas include Lau, Karim Lamido, Ardo Kola, Gassol, Donga, and W...