The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Farmers

  • Lawmaker aids Niger farmers

    A member of the House of Representatives Honourable Lado Suleja representing Suleja/Gurara/Tafa, Niger State, has distributed five trailer-loads of fertilizers and others farm inputs to growers in his constituency.

    This, he said, will help them provide food for the constituency.

    Lado said the distribution would be done ward by ward and by elders and traditional leaders in each ward.

    According to him, the gesture is part of his representation to the people and an oversight function towards ensuring that what is meant for his constituency is channeled to them at the right time.

    “Suleja has always been [excluded] in the past, allocations were usually made but there will be no implementation. I am representing my people to ensure that what belongs to them is given to them and I am going to sustain it until 2019.”

    The lawmaker, who is the National Coordinator of Gwari Youth Forum disclosed that about 30 communities in his constituency would soon be electrified as 24 transformers will be delivered to his constituency.

    He warned the people not to sell the farm implements and ptoducts urging them to use it judiciously while pleading for patience as there was enough to go round.

    Lado stated that his priority to the people shall be on health, education and agriculture with more attention to be focused on children of the masses adding that in the past one year, he has provided basic amenities in his constituency and empowered over 4000 people on entrepreneurial skills.

    According to him, 17 people will soon be sponsored to Cairo to study while six girls will be sent to Sudan to study medicine, adding that plans are underway to help traditional leaders in his constituency.

    He urged the people to have patience with the present administration as things will get better with time.

    Speaking on behalf of the chairmen of the three local government areas that constitute the constituency, the local government Chairman of Tafa, Ado Abubakar commended the legislator for his gesture adding that it will go a long way in assuaging the sufferings of the people.

    He promised that the constituents will make judicious use of the fertilizers and farming implements and products assuring that the local government chairmen will walk in his path in putting up relevant programmes that will touch the lives of the people.

    Items distributed freely to the farmers include fertilizers, seedlings, wheel barrows, insecticides, high grade farming implements and sprayers.

     

  • FG unveils national seed plan

    FG unveils national seed plan

    The Federal Government has set a four-year target to produce about 200, 000 metric tons of quality seeds for farmers by 2020.

    The national seed plan is to ensure improved, affordable and quality seeds get to the farmers, as part of federal government’s commitment to boost local food production and reduce food imports.

    The National Agricultural Seed Council (NASC) Director-General, Dr. Philip Ojo said in Abuja that the target included distribution and marketing of the farm inputs, in partnership with major stakeholders for major crops planted by the rural farmers.

    Some of the crops include maize, rice, sorghum, millet, soybean, groundnut among others.

    In a report on the National Seed Planning workshop to develop a rapid action plan for quality seed production, the stakeholders identified need for Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to partner the NASC under its Anchor Borrowers Scheme.

    “A four year projection 2016 – 2020 for production, distribution and marketing of over 200, 00mt quality seeds..,” he said.

    The report which had contributions from the National Agribusiness Group (NABG), Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD), Seed Entrepreneur Association of Nigeria (SEEDAN) among other stakeholders emphasized that the four year seed production plan should be reviewed after two years of implementation.

    According to the report, the review became imperative in order to assess the progress and impact of the national seed plan.

    The stakeholders asked for a robust seed legislation and enforcement to address some of the challenges in the seed sector.

    They emphasized roles of the National Assembly (NASS) to speed up legislative processes on the national agricultural seeds act to ensure effective seed quality control and enforcement of seed law in the country.

    Other recommendations are; “The need to sustain the achievements recorded in the last four years in the seed sector by the ministry, through implementation of sustainable input delivery process; Government at all levels should create enabling environment for stakeholders in the seed sector to operate in a sustainable manner.

    “There is need for the ministry to mobilize and enlist active participation of state governments, youth women and other stakeholders to attain the cultivation of additional two million hectares of land per year, with double cropping using irrigational facilities.

    “There is an urgent need for the ministry to dialogue with financial partners to reduce the burden of access to finance and high interest rate to ensure delivery of quality inputs to farmers.”

     

  • Fulani- farmers’ clashes, an African problem

    SIR: The present situation between the Fulani and farmers is actually something that has its genesis in the colonial era. The powers that be at that time decided to balkanize an ethnic group, separating and sharing them using land borders, into 23 countries. Each fraction of Fulani was therefore forced to take on the identity of the country in which they found themselves (this is not peculiar to the Fulani but what makes theirs interesting is that they are the largest nomadic group in the whole world with this kind of presentation). The situation is replicated at many of our borders and certainly is a great challenge to the Nigerian Immigration Service, when on both sides the people are from the same ethnic stock.

    After every violent assault on Nigerian farmers, the Nigerian Fulani constantly say it is the handiwork of foreign Fulani. The ease with which these foreign Fulani enter Nigeria suggests that they take advantage of the relationship between them and their kin, under the guise of grazing cattle to perpetuate atrocities.

    Their attitude shows that their kith and kin in Nigeria are more enlightened, exposed and tolerant indicating that policies geared towards enlightenment and education e.g. the Nomadic Education Scheme should have been instituted and harmonised in all the countries that have Fulani population rather than being a programme operated in a single country. That way, each student could have obtained a transfer certificate to continue their education in whatever country they found themselves.

    The explosive nature of these foreign Fulani has made some lawmakers from the North propose a Bill that will reserve grazing paths in all the states in Nigeria. Such a Bill, if passed, will only be prolonging a negative lifestyle that denies the nomad quality life, when forever his life revolves only around the cattle and the money with which he buys or sells cattle, leaving him in ignorance about the present day and its dictates. Besides, Nigeria will be the destination of nomadic Fulani from all the other countries for the purpose of grazing and selling their cattle. These paths will soon be over grazed just as most of the North has become, due to lack of scientific intervention.  Before long, desertification or erosion will make these areas useless thereby forcing the nomads to start another round of agitation for more land. What will happen then?

    It therefore behoves the African Union, the African Development Bank and other agencies that have to do with agriculture in Africa to come up with urgent agricultural intervention programmes aimed at applying scientific solutions to the problem of desertification so that ranches can be set up simultaneously in all the countries that still have indigenous nomadic ethnic nationalities to stem the need to migrate about. Such programmes should mandatorily be supervised for successful implementation to prevent diversion of funds meant for the purpose.

    All over the world, except Nigeria, the customer is king. In Nigeria the customer is practically always left holding the short end of the stick. How can one explain the killing of one’s patrons? People who are the buyers and consumers of one’s commodity! If everybody in the South decided to boycott meat even for a week, the economic loss will be immense, unless the Fulani are bringing the cattle to export them through Nigerian seaports.

    The time has passed when people went to war in order to claim land. Everywhere is now mapped and everybody knows where they belong. Unfortunately there is no amount of fear that will make other people surrender their ancestral land. Saying compensation will be paid over forcefully acquired land will not solve the problem either because land is part of cultural heritage.

     

    • Fola Obaro,

    Lagos.

  • Rebuild Northeast, farmers urged

    Rebuild Northeast, farmers urged

    •AgroNigeria berths in Zaria

    Farmers and agro-allied practitioners have been urged to channel  their energies towards  reviving the dwindling fortunes of agriculture in the North.

    A Professor of Agricultural Extension, Emmanuel Ikani, made  the call in Zaria while talking to  farmers and research experts at the opening of the Northwest branch of AgroNigeria in Kaduna State.

    As the special guest, Ikani lamented the impact of the insurgency across the region, noting that  it has taken a toll on the output of crops.

    He said: ”We have watched helplessly as farms turn battlefields, farmers chased away and produce destroyed. This is due to the terror acts then prevalent in the north. Thankfully, the military has recorded commendable progress in terms of addressing this scourge. As stakeholders, we cannot fold our hands and wait until everything is done for us by the government. We need to rise and strive to start all over again. The government is ready to support farmers with loans and incentives to go into production of crops and rearing of animals. Researchers here present, I urge you to please join hands with farmers in introducing new and profit oriented ideas that would help the sector grow.”

    He continued: “The farmers here represent the national farm community and so whatever we collectively come up in research with a feedback from the farmers will help the sector grow. The presence of AgroNigeria in Zaria is to bridge the information gap while bringing interpretation of policies to the tables of the farmers. Let us join our hands together with AgroNigeria as a veritable media platform to preach the agriculture story,” the university don further enjoined.

    A crop protection expert, Prof Isa Onu of  the Institute of Agriculture Research, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria urged AgroNigeria not to relent in the pursuit of the growth of the sector while applauding the editorial depth of the magazine and quality of production.

    “I have held magazines and flipped through many of them. I can proudly tell you that there are no magazines now on the stands with the quality of AgroNigeria both in print and content,’’ Ikani said.

    The  Chief Executive Officer and Editor-In-Chief, AgroNigeria, Mr. Richard-Mark Mbaram, reiterated the dream of the company in ensuring that the agricultural sector gets the desired media mileage necessary for its continued recovery and viability. “We are committed to ensuring that no effort by anyone in achieving the agricultural dream goes unnoticed,”he said.

  • The making of livestock farmers

    The making of livestock farmers

    Keying into Federal Government’s plan to make agriculture major revenue earner in a diversified economy, the lawmaker representing Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency of Ondo State in the House of Representatives, Kolawole Babatunde, has partnered with the Ministry of Labour and Productivity to train some of his constituents on livestock production. LEKE AKEREDOLU reports

    As a result of declining oil prices at the international market, the Federal Government is considering the non-oil sector, such as, agriculture as key to make the economy be on the upbeat again.

    President Muhammadu Buhari has said his administration is committed to ensuring that agriculture and other sectors such mining and manufacturing play critical roles in making Nigeria’s economy non-oil based.

    According to the President, the diversification of the economy will be avenue for job creation for millions of unemployed youths.

    Keying into the Federal Government’s resolve to diversify the economy and make agriculture major player in the nation’s economic recovery, over 40 youths from Akoko South East/Akoko South West Federal Constituency of Ondo State have been encouraged to go into livestock production. This was the gesture by the lawmaker representing them at the House of Representatives, Hon. Kolawole Babatunde. The beneficiaries have been trained on how to nurse chickens such as broilers and layers.

    They were also given financial support and necessary materials that would enable them to go into full-scale livestock production.

    At the three days training, held penultimate weekend at Oka-Akoko in Akoko South West Local Government Area, participants were given funds, chicken feeds, vaccines, stoves, automated cages and chickens (both broilers and cockerels) as incentives for their businesses.

    To ensure proper monitoring and success of the training exercise, the lawmaker had to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Labour and Productivity.

    The Coordinator of the programme, Prince Timothy Korede said the lawmaker had introduced the project, which he said was the second phase, to complement government’s effort to tackle youth unemployment as well as engage the youth positively, thereby preventing them from engaging in any form of restiveness in the constituency.

    The lawmaker said he had taken steps to ensure that his constituents, especially the youth, are imbued with skills as a way of enhancing their educational development.

    He noted that he decided to train them on livestock production in his second phase project because he knew how lucrative the business is.

    Babatunde added that he was not just training them alone but he had also empowered them with enough capital to start the business.

    He said: “We promised members of our constituency that we will not just be in Abuja to enjoy alone but also will always return home to give back whatever we are receive for the development of our people’s living standard.

    “The government of the All Progressives Congress (APC) led by President Buhari has taken agriculture as one of the cardinal development plans of his administration and he is already doing everything possible to achieve that.

    “We lawmakers will not fold our arms and watch. We have to complement efforts of the President in his bid to turn the economy of the country around. The President means well for the nation. He wants to diversify the economy and our youths must be encouraged and empowered to embrace agriculture as a way forward.

    “I have selected over 40 people from my constituency for this project in the second phase and we are plan to encourage more.

    “We are 360 members in the House of Representatives. Assuming each of us encourages 100 people on agriculture in our different constituencies, do you know the number of our people that will be employed through this and do you know the effects this will have on our economy?

    “If some governors are not doing well in agriculture, we lawmakers should ensure that we assist our people.

    “We are not focusing on the unemployed youths alone; we are also assisting our students in various institutions in the country.”.

    The APC chieftain assured his constituents that he would always engender ideas that would add values to their living standard.

    One of the beneficiaries, 32-year-old Abosede Daramola, commended the lawmaker for the gesture, saying he was laying legacies that would forever be in the memories of the people he represents.

    She said: “As a graduate, I have once applied for a loan from the government to start this business but I am yet to see any green light that such demand will be granted.

    “Hon. Kolawole has empowered us and we have also been trained on this business. With this, I believe we are now fully prepared to start the business. We will also train other members of our constituency who have interest in the business.”

    Another beneficiary, Makinwa Ogunlade described Kolawole as a man with brilliant ideas and who also had vision to reduce poverty among his people.

    Ogunlade said: “I am also moved with the way the participants were selected. He has been fair to all parties unlike some lawmakers who will only empower members of their political parties.”

     

  • Aregbesola, farmers discuss future of agric

    Aregbesola, farmers discuss future of agric

    Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola, last week, introduced another dimension in the handling of the affairs of the state. Instead of sitting in his cosy office and receive feedbacks from his aides on some of the challenges farmers experience, he decided to go to the farms to get first-hand information. SOJI ADENIYI reports. 

    Now, let’s go to the farms!” That was how Osun State Governor, Rauf Aregbesola mobilised his aides as he breezed out of his residence on Wednesday last week. It was not time for any flowing white agbada. Aregbesola wore a grey traditional Yoruba top–dansiki. Before his aides could say “jack”, he had hopped into the waiting caravan bus which he used during his campaigns for the 2014 governorship election.

    Thirty minutes of journey from Osogbo, the state capital, the convoy had arrived at Oke Osin in Atakumosa West Local Government Area. The convoy meandered through many other farm settlements, just as many farmers ran out of their houses to catch a glimpse of the governor and his entourage.

    Of course, words had gone round that Aregbesola would visit them in their farmsteads to listen to their stories. But not many were convinced that this would, indeed, happen.

    The best they had had over the decades was for few representatives of the farmers to be asked to meet officials of the Ministry of Agriculture to lodge their complaints. They hardly got feedbacks, let alone solutions to their problems.

    So, incredulity gave way to anxiety. Anxiety gave way to relief when eventually the convoy of the governor rode into the farm settlements; making straight for the farmstead which had been prepared to receive him and his entourage.

    No red carpets! There were only plastic chairs and wooden benches arranged under the canopy of dancing cocoa leaves. The bare ground had been covered by a rustling collection of drying cocoa leaves which combined to form beautiful scenery to receive the visitors. Those who could not find chairs sat on cocoa tree trunks.

    Accompanied by the Secretary to the  State Government (SSG), Alhaji Moshood Adeoti, former Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Prince Wale Adedoyin and a few other aides, Aregbesola cut the picture of the man who had come to listen to all shades of opinions, no matter how unsavoury, if only that would help him get the true picture of the state of his government’s investment in agriculture.

    Though, Chairman, Farmers’ Field School, Mr. Timothy Akingbade, had many words of commendations for the governor and his team, he nevertheless, was categorical on areas which require urgent interventions in order to ensure that government’s investment in the sector is better appreciated.

    Akingbade said: “It is only an ingrate that would close his eyes to the ongoing transformation in agriculture sector in this state since the inception of the current administration.

    “And, going by the drastic efforts and commitment of this administration at revamping the decadence in agriculture, we can boldly say that the current government has so far attained the feat.

    “The only thing to complement the government’s efforts is for us to show more interest in agriculture so as to help government in fulfilling its goal of turning the state to an agricultural hub.”

    Akingbade noted areas such as proliferation of fake agro-chemicals, lack of clean water and lack of GSM and internet connections that would require government’s interventions.

    Fake agro-chemicals, Akingbade said, remains a major headache as the applications of these ruin farmers’ investments; making many of them become bankrupt.

    He suggested that the government should directly be involved in the procurement of the chemicals through partnership with certified manufacturers with the conviction that this would eliminate activities of fake producers.

    While acknowledging provision of light through the state’s rural electrification project, Akingbade said the Rural Accessibility Programme (RAMP) has not succeeded in making all the roads motorable, especially for transportation of farm produce from the rural areas to the cities.

    Many of the farmers informed  the governor that they are  educated and that facilities such as internet and GSM services should not elude them.

    Akingbade said information technology is so crucial to them at this stage because of the latest information on farming which could be of immense help to boosting their farm investments.

    The session provided the opportunity for the governor and the farmers to know the true state of the loans provided by the government to farmers.

    While the governor was able to discover that some of the real farmers have been unable to access the loans, some of the farmers were informed  about the activities of some of their colleagues who obtained loans but failed to pay back, a situation that has hindered others from accessing the loan facility.

    Representative of the Quick Impact Intervention Programme for Farmers, Mr. Eluyemi Arowolo, said the sum of N851, 669, 532.53 had been given out as loans to farmers under the QUIIP 1 and 2 schemes.

    Out of this, only N236, 759,413.63 has been recovered.

    Arowolo said: “The purpose of this report is to make public the financial commitment of this administration in reviving the glory of the agricultural sector.

    “The current government had facilitated credit facilities through the Bank of Agriculture which our farmers had benefited from. The gesture was aimed at enhancing the production capacity of all farmers across the state.

    “With this initiative, we have recorded great improvement just as we are hopeful for more benefits.

    “Though we are experiencing some challenges in recovering loans given to some of our farmers, we won’t relent in ensuring success in this regard.”

    The traditional ruler of the town, the Olosin of Osin, Chief Lawrence Apata said: “Apparently, the disposition of the government is to turn around the state by empowering farmers for greater productivity as well as improve the general well-being of the people.

    “The visit of our governor to hold this crucial meeting with farmers in this rural area signifies utmost love, passion and greater sense of commitment to develop the state; most importantly in the area of agriculture.

    “We are excited because the visit was the first of its kind in the history of our community.”

    Having listened to the farmers, the Governor, who had made notes as the speakers made their points, said his visit had nothing to do with politics or show-off.

    “We have come to have first-hand information on how farming activities are going on in the state and to show that government is not just paying lip-service to its commitment to the development of agriculture,” he said.

    Within the last three months, Aregbesola had had engagements with farmers, farm produce merchants, relevant officials of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. All indicate that the focus of his administration is agri-business.

    Earlier this year, the government announced that it has taken census of at least 60 million cocoa trees, in an exercise to ascertain the potential of the state in agriculture. That gives the government a rough estimate of revenue that can be generated from this source alone with the right regulations and incentives.

    Just last week, the Governor paid a visit to the resuscitated Cocoa Production Company in Ede, which had become dilapidated since 2001.

    For months now, Aregbesola’s emphasis has been on agriculture and how it can be turned to goldmine.

    He told the farmers: “When there was free money coming from oil, no government considered how agriculture could contribute immensely to the economy. We are back to the days where agriculture will be the main stay of our economy in Osun State. As soon as we have a cabinet, most of our meetings will be held on farmlands.

    “In our commitment to support subsistence and commercial farmers, we have so far granted loan of about N1 billion to them and also disbursed the needed facilities and chemicals for the development of their activities.

    “To this end, we are resolved to facilitate more benefits and support, to facilitate more participation in farming.”

    L’abe Cocoa, (under the canopy of cocoa trees), Aregbesola might just have been, in rare metaphorical language, been seeking for cover from the worsening revenue crisis in Nigeria and the world as well.

  • FG to introduce soil test kits to farmers – Official

    The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is to introduce soil test kits to farmers nationwide as part of efforts to boost food production, an official has said.

    Prof Victor Chude, the Director, Farm Inputs Support Services in the ministry, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

    Chude said that the technology, known as `Soil Doctor’, would enable farmers to conduct instant test on the soil, to determine its strengths and weaknesses.

    He noted that soil testing was critical to farming as it guide farmers on the best fertilisers to apply in various soil types.

    He noted that the current system of blanket application of fertiliser results in waste of scarce fertilisers.

    “This is because the soil is not well prepared to take the nutrients for root interception within its short lifespan of arable cropping.

    “Soil Doctor analyses the fertility of the soil by sending a message to the cloud, and the result comes immediately, telling you the fertiliser to be used for a particular soil.

    “This technology is an improvement on the previous soil test method where field samples are taken to the laboratory for analysis and results gotten within a couple of weeks.

    “The kits will be introduced to farmers across the country through the Department of Climate Change and Agricultural Land Management Services.

    “Currently, 65 extension agents are being trained on how to use this new technology and they will in turn train the farmers.’’

    Chude, who is the President, Soil Science Society of Nigeria, also stressed the need for improved teaching of soil testing and other soil management skills to small farmers.

    He said that ‎soil testing was very important because it enables farmers to adopt new soil, crop and fertiliser recommendations for a particular field.

    “Soil testing simply means the analysis of a soil sample to determine its nutrient content, composition and other characteristics such as acidity level.

    “Testing a field and using the recommendations that come with it help plants receive adequate amount of nutrients needed for growth and improved productivity.’’

    He noted that awareness creation on soil testing among farmers would revolutionise agriculture in the country.

    According to him, a state-to-state soil testing programme has been conducted under the Food and Agriculture Organisation and National Programme for Food Security programme.

    “With the availability of Geographic Information System, modern techniques can be used to go beyond soil fertility map to evaluate soil capacity and develop calibration curves for crops in each state.

    “Unfortunately, the current system of blanket fertiliser use results in a waste of scarce fertiliser because the soil is not well prepared to take the nutrients for root interception within its short lifespan of arable cropping.”

    Chude, however, identified challenges to soil sampling such as lack of facilities and poor transportation infrastructure.

     

  • Union Bank pledges support for rural farmers

    Union Bank pledges support for rural farmers

    THE Chief Executive of Union Bank, Emeka Enuwa yesterday said Union Bank will keep providing agricultural finance to rural farmers adding that as a member of African Rural Agricultural Credit Association (AFRACA), the Bank remains committed to providing rural finance in Nigeria.

    “At Union Bank, we shall continue to provide credit to the agricultural sector and we encourage the other banks to do the same. We remain committed to driving investment in the agricultural sector as an active member of AFRACA and we urge all participants to align with AFRACA’s vision of a rural Africa, where people have access to sustainable financial services for economic development”.

    Enuwa went further to say that Agriculture remains the vital tools that can get the country out of the current depleted foreign exchange stressing that agricultural financing and infractions development must remain an unbroken chain for economic development.

    The Union Bank boss stated this in Abuja at a two day workshop on Catalysing the Diversification of the Nigerian Economy Through Effective Agricultural Finance organised by African Rural Agricultural Credit Association (AFRACA.)

    He recounted that Nigeria was a major exporter of Palm oil, cotton and rubber in the 80s but the oil boom drifted the nation to focus on oil which has now become a commodity with a value that cannot drive the economy, saying that most African countries like Angola that are dependent on oil are also going through the same economic challenge, while urging government to increase funding to agriculture to enable more farmers have access to credits.

    Enuwa pledged the continuous support of Union Bank to rural farmers through a revolving micro credit.

    He said, “Nigeria we all know is an oil producing nation as a number of other member nations, and over the last year or so, we find ourselves in a situation where oil revenue has declined approximately to 43% year to year, 2014 to 2015. And when your foreign currency earnings declines, it has a direct impact on the economy.

    “There has been a shortage in foreign currency and this has affected sectors like manufacturing and others. It has led to a disparity in the exchange rate. We have also started seeing inflation through our indices.

    “Every country needs to diversify its revenue base. Revenue base is production base and that is why agriculture is very important again.

    “In the case of Nigeria, we have history. We used to be the highest producer of palm oil, likewise rubber, cocoa, all and we have to get back to such glory even if it is not the same produce, perhaps different ones.

    “As it stands, we are the largest producer of cassava in the world and this is an opportunity to do more of that. We have to move away from being a net food importer to a net food exporter.

    “One of the challenges facing agriculture sector today is lack of effective agriculture finance. In Nigeria, the banking sector has made some progress. Over the last few years from 2014 to 2015 there has been 36% growth in loan to the real sector, agriculture did not get up to 4% of the total lending in Nigeria.

    “In addition to finance, farmers also face infrastructure impediment, roads, power, transport and storage. Those are things that are important to farmers and which remain a challenge.

    “What has to happen to elevate agriculture to a top level generating sector is what we are seeing, that is the government is saying that agriculture is the key pillar for our economic development and it is being reflected in the budget. If you look at the capital investment required to further enable agriculture whether it is in infrastructure, transport, roads, those are the things we expect to see more investment within the course of this year and going forward. Across Africa the same thing is being done” he said.

    He called on Nigerians to usurp the competitive advantage we have in cassava production to ensure the country become a force in cassava farming and processing.

  • We may not farm this year, Ondo farmers cry out

    We may not farm this year, Ondo farmers cry out

    Ondo State farmers are scared of engaging in any farming activity this year due to incessant attacks by Fulani herdsmen.

    State Chairman of Agricultural Commodities Association (ACA) Akin Olotu spoke yesterday at an interactive forum between Fulani herdsmen and farmers organised by the State Police Command in Akure, the state capital.

    He said herdsmen continuously destroyed farm produce and attacked their members, warning that night grazing must be stopped for peace to reign.

    Farmers lamented that the destruction of farm produce by the herdsmen had created fear in farmers.

    They lamented the use of teenagers in leading the cows to graze,  saying they are inexperienced.

    At the time the event was ongoing, news filtered in that a herdsman was missing at Ilara-Mokin in Ifedore Local Government Area.

    The Head of fulani herdsmen, Alli Dango and Sarki Hausa of Akure Kingdom, Babangida Sodiq Kusada, said four herdsmen, including members of the victim’s family, have been arrested.

    Kusada and Dongo said the herdsman was declared missing after all efforts to trace him prove abortive.

    They said their kinsman had been living in Ilara-Mokin for the past seven years and was preparing to relocate to his state when the incident happened.

    According to them, “he was sent by his kinsmen to buy food in Igbaro-Oke and which he left with his motorcycle.

    “It was after they waited for hours without seeing him that a search party was organised.

    “His motorcycle was seen beside a bush along the road. His herds were also seen in the bush without him.

    “We don’t know if he is dead because we are yet to see his remains,” they said.

    Police spokesman Femi Joseph said he has not been briefed about the incident.

  • Protest in Markurdi over Fulani killings

    Bushiness and commercial activities were grounded to a halt in Makurdi, Benue state capital following protest against Fulani herdsmen over continued killing of Benue farmers.

    The protesters who were over 300 in numbers took over the busy Makurdi- Gboko double carriage way and brought down Traffic for a halt for several hours.

    There was Traffic gridlock from Wurukum round about to Low level round about.

    Decked in colorful branded T-shirts on top of black jeans, heavy escorted security operatives made up of Mobile and regular policemen including armed men of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) match through major streets in Makurdi in the sorting sun.

    The branded T shirts and banners read. No more grazing in Benue, Stop the killings.

    The protesters were made up of students, social media activist, market women, Union leaders and farmers came under the umbrella of “Move Against Fulani Occupation (MAFO) .

    The protests who were peaceful in their conduct came across the 23 local government area particularly the areas which recently came under fulani attacked like Agatu, Tarkaa, Buruku, Logo,Makurdi and Guma local government areas .

    One of the protesters who spoke to The Nation Comradr Edward Dooga said they have decided to draw the attention of the international communities and the world over the continued killings by Fulani herdsmen, who also have occupied farmlands.

    Another social media activist who was among the protesters; Ukan Kulugh said there is eminent danger of food scarcity if the activities of the herdsmen are not checked saying  the herdsmen have  forcefully  occupied  about seven local government area s ,who the inhabitants are peasant farmers.

    Ukan Kulugh noted that why the inhabitants are taking refuge in primary schools as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) Fulani herdsmen are grazing on their farm and have completely destroyed whatever crop is planted.

    At press time, the protesters were seen heading towards Government House Makurdi.