In a bid to tackle the incessant attacks by bandits on farmers and their produce, the Cocoa and Plantain Farmers Association of Nigeria has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to provide lands for farming as a lasting solution.
The association expressed deep concern over the rising toll of lives lost and farmers abducted in various attacks across the country. Addressing the media in Akure, Ondo State’s capital, the National President of the Cocoa and Plantain Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Ayodele Ojo, lamented the alarming frequency of farmer killings and the destruction of farmlands.
Ojo highlighted the dire consequences of these attacks, emphasizing that many farmers have abandoned their farms due to fear of violence and kidnapping. He criticized the perceived helplessness of security operatives in curbing these incidents and called for urgent intervention from Tinubu.
According to Ojo, the insecurity in farming communities has reached alarming levels, with bandits often taking control of farms and hindering farmers from harvesting their produce. He emphasized the need for immediate action to prevent further loss of lives and ensure the security of farmers and their livelihoods.
Expressing concern over potential food shortages, Ojo warned that if the situation persists, it could have severe implications for food security in the country.
The association also voiced its opposition to recent directives by the President calling on state governors to allocate land for grazing purposes. Ojo argued that such a move would exacerbate conflicts between farmers and herders and could worsen the existing challenges faced by farmers.
Instead, Ojo called on the National Assembly to scrutinize the proposal for grazing zones and urged all levels of government to allocate more funds to the agriculture sector. He stressed the importance of investing in agriculture to address food security challenges effectively.
In conclusion, Ojo reiterated the association’s plea for President Tinubu to allocate more resources to agriculture, emphasizing the need to prioritize food production and safeguard farmers’ interests.
