…Continue to grow crops
• Demand protection from bandits, terrorists, kidnappers
By Noah Ebije (Kaduna), Tony John (Port Harcourt), Scholastica Hir (Makurdi), and Olanrewaju Lawal (Birnin Kebbi)
Notwithstanding the risks posed by the unrelenting onslaught of armed, murderous terrorists and bandits, farmers have reiterated their resolve to continue farming, the only vocation them know and are skilled in.
Reports from states show that governments have continued to provide various forms of assistance to farmers, to enable them grow crops to boost food security in the country, but persistent insecurity that pervades the country has not allowed the farmers to make optimal returns. Below, our correspondents present the situation reports across the states.
KADUNA
Not deterred by the growing insecurity in the state, the Kaduna State government launched a N74 billion agricultural transformation initiative to position the state as Nigeria’s leading food security hub.
State Commissioner for Agriculture, Murtala Dabo, said that the reforms are aimed at boosting food security, rural development, and agribusiness under the Governor Uba Sani administration.
Dabo disclosed that over 500 trucks of fertilizer and 100,000 free bags of the fertilizer were distributed to farmers, along with improved maize seeds and agrochemicals under the Tallafin Noma (A Koma Gona) initiative.
To enhance the mechanization of farming, Dabo said the state has procured 500 power tillers, 10,000 solar-powered water pumps, and several tractors, which will be deployed via public-private mechanization hubs.
According to him, an additional N200 million has been allocated to rehabilitate critical irrigation infrastructure, and Kaduna has expressed interest in the World Bank’s $500 million SPIN initiative.
Dabo noted that 16 rural roads have been rehabilitated under the Rural Access and Agricultural Marketing Project (RAAMP), improving market access for farmers.
However, Kaduna ginger farmers are still struggling to get back on their feet after an infection devastated their crops late last year.
The Commissioner for Agriculture said the state government distributed fungicides to smallholder farmers affected by the disease outbreak, adding that the government has other plans too to remedy the situation.
“Immediately the disease was discovered, the Ministry invited a team of scientists from the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria. The result from their investigation indicated that the causes of the disease are fungal pathogens and the government has engaged more scientists and research institutes to narrow down the search to a particular family of pathogens,” he said.
The commissioner said that the effort of the state also led to the intervention from the Federal Government through the Ginger Blight Epidemic Task Force in the office of the vice president.
Dabo added that the government through extension officers was educating the affected farmers to adopt crop rotation to heal and protect the soil while a plan was ongoing to establish a Quality Control and Disease Surveillance unit at the Ministry to work on “early warning of disease outbreak and ensuring that crop quality is maintained and improved.”
But despite government efforts to ensure an environment conducive for businesses and farming activities in the state, some residents of Birnin-Gwari Local Government Area of the state had late November 2024 raised the alarm that bandits were breaking peace agreements entered into with farming communities in the area.
Specifically, they said the bandits usually do this when critical farm harvest period begins, despite taking levies to allow them freely carry out their farming activities.
According to reports, farming communities in Birnin-Gwari often enter into peace agreements with bandits to allow agricultural activities continue without disruption.
Chairman of the Birnin-Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU), Ishaq Kasai, explained that these agreements were frequently proposed by the bandits, creating a semblance of safety for farmers during the planting season.
He, however, noted that the bandits typically find excuses to renege on these deals as soon as harvest season arrives.
Kasai revealed that communities such as Kwoga, Zoko, and Gayam, were at different times, victims of this reoccurring pattern of security challenges.
He noted that on Sunday, November 10, 2024, bandits set ablaze farms along the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road.
The incidents in those areas were attributed to a notorious bandit leader known as Yellow Janbros.
Meanwhile, the state governor, Uba Sani, had in November last year pardoned ‘repentant’ bandits terrorising Kaduna residents, especially in Birnin Gwari area, declaring that the days of kidnapping, cattle rustling, forced levies on farmers and other criminal activities had ended.
The governor had in Birnin Gwari received the first set of repentant bandits and opened the cattle market, which had been closed for about 10 years due to security challenges.
The governor also said: “I will be fair to everyone, whether you are farmers, herders and traders, in order to achieve lasting peace and development. Through numerous meetings and extensive discussions, we have built bridges of trust. Several senior bandit leaders had laid their arms and embraced peace, along with their followers.”
According to him, the repentant bandits were enrolled in a rehabilitation programme designed by his government in partnership with the Federal Government.
‘’This programme adheres to international standards of disarmament, de-mobilisation and reintegration, ensuring that these individuals can return to society as productive citizens,’’ he stated.
The governor warned that the rehabilitation of the repentant bandits was based on the principle of carrot and stick.
“While we welcome those who chose peace, we will not hesitate to take decisive action against anyone who continues to perpetuate violence. The security, law enforcement and intelligence agencies have already achieved significant results, neutralising bandits’ kingpins, dismantling criminal networks and rescuing kidnapped victims,’’ the governor emphasised.
The governor said his administration operates an open-door policy and encourages dialogue as the foundation of lasting peace.
“My message to anyone considering taking up arms is simple: talk to us instead. Let us resolve disputes through dialogue, not violence. To the bandits who have yet to embrace peace, I urge you to reconsider. Enough is enough.
“The days of kidnapping, cattle rustling, force levies and other criminal activities are over. Those who genuinely seek to change will find a government ready to support them, protect them and help them rebuild their lives,” Governor Sani said.
RIVERS
Rivers State government has promised that the popular Songhai Integrated Farms in Bunu community, Tai Local Government Area of the state will become functional soon.
The farm which was established by the administration of former Governor Chibuike Amaechi became moribund during the eight-year of the administration that succeeded it.
But when Mr Siminalayi Fubara came onboard as governor, he visited the farm and took steps to revamp it because of its contributions to food security in the state.
However, following the declaration of emergency rule in the state by President Bola Tinubu and the suspension of both the Executive and Legislative arms of government, the Sole Administrator, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas (rtd), has revisited the project and assured Rivers people that Songhai Farms would resume operations in no distant time.
The sole administrator pledged to implement strategic measures to revive the state-owned Songhai Integrated Farms, aiming to boost food production and create sustainable employment opportunities for Rivers youths.
Ibas made the commitment during his recent tour of the facilities in Bunu community.
He was accompanied by the farm’s coordinator, Tammy Jaja, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Morrison Ogolo.
The visit also included stops at other key agricultural facilities, such as the TechFarms Slaughter House in Mgbuosimini in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area of the state.
After receiving briefings from ministry officials, Vice Admiral lbas emphasised the importance of assessing the projects firsthand to determine necessary interventions.
He noted that significant progress has been made, saying the state government was determined to see the projects completed, to improve living conditions for residents.
He remarked: “These initiatives are well-conceived, and significant resources have already been invested in them. Since they are meant to benefit the people, it is only right that l inspect them to evaluate their current state and decide on the next steps.”
The administrator highlighted the need for sustainable agricultural development in Rivers State to ensure food security and reduce dependence on imports.
He stressed that supporting local farmers and enhancing production capabilities are crucial steps toward making agriculture more appealing to the youth.
“The three facilities we inspected today are vital links in the agricultural value chain. To achieve self-sufficiency in food production, we must enhance food security, empower locaI farmers, and promote domestic food output.”
“If these projects are fully operational, they will generate employment opportunities for our youth and contribute significantly to the national economy,” he noted.
During the visit, lbas also engaged with community leaders, youth, and women, urging them to protect government facilities in their areas.
He warned against vandalism, stating that destroying public infrastructure undermines development efforts.
“I urge you to collaborate with security agencies, such as the Police and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, to safeguard these assets. Damaging government property ultimately harms the community. We will work to restore these facilities for your benefit,” he assured.
Happily, some farmers have expressed optimism about the revival of the Songhai Integrated Farms, saying it would help them in getting seedlings at cheaper rates to enhance their farming activities.
According to them, the major challenge they have is getting help in form of grants from the government.
They also expressed worry that the suspension of the state governor, Fubara, would affect Rivers farmers during the farming season.
One of the farmers, Mrs Margaret Nwiledum, from Khana Local Government, said: “There is a limit to what the sole administrator can do. I don’t think he has power like the governor, to assist us (farmers) in terms of money. This is the fear we have this farming season.
“If it were to be when the governor was on seat, we could form clusters to make demands for support from government. But I don’t think we can achieve this with the sole administrator.”
Another farmer, who gave his name as Mr Chime from Omagwa, in Ikwerre Local Government Area, decried the destruction of crops by herds of cattle.
Chime cited attacks on farmers by herders and called for regular security patrols by recognized operatives and local vigilance groups in their communities to protect farmers and their crops.
Meanwhile, checks by Sunday Sun revealed abysmal cases of abduction of farmers in Rivers State.
The farmers are not threatened or taxed. It is only in communities prone to cult crisis that natives are scared of going to farm.
BENUE
The Benue State government said it’s been doing its best to boost agricultural production to achieve food security in the state.
However, farmers in the state are plagued by various challenges mainly insecurity.
A farmer and the immediate past chairman of Allah Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Aondongu Saaku, said the insecurity is on the high side.
He said that following widespread attacks and killings in most local government areas in the state, most farmers have fled their communities, abandoning their seedlings and already prepared farmlands.
He noted that over 5,000 hectares of farmlands have been abandoned, stripping farmers of their means of production.
“As I’m talking to you, you can’t pass from Naka to Adoka in Gwer West Local Government Area, LGA, it’s a death trap. At Akpa-Otobi in Otukpo LGA, it’s not easy, if you go to Anwase in Kwande LGA, the fight is still there and in Ityuluv in Ukum LG, the fight is there. Here in Yogbo in Guma LGA, the farmers have ran away from their farms,” he disclosed.
Saaku who stated that Benue farmers have never paid protection money to bandits said their activities have pushed farmers away from their ancestral homes.
“Up to 5,000 hectares of farmlands have been abandoned. The farmers started land preparation, but the places are deserted now.”
“Most of the farmers are kidnapped when they are travelling. Sometimes they carry the whole vehicle,” he said.
He cited a recent abduction of travellers between Adoka and Naka, in Gwer West LGA, recalling how suspected herdsmen militia carried two buses into the bush and killed some of the farmers.
Saaku who is currently the Coordinator, Sustainable Agriculture in Benue State, said that the government has been preaching, but has not actually succeeded.
“For you to sustain food, you have to produce your food all year round. Government has been preaching dry season farming, but there has been no effect because up till now the dry season inputs have not been supplied to farmers as we speak.
“We have now gone into wet season farming and so maybe by the end of October, then we would talk about dry season farming again,” he said.
He advised the government to stop preaching about agriculture, saying, “Agriculture is practical and not theory. Let them do what they say so that people will see it and key in.”
Another farmer, Mrs Janet Iorchir, said she has totally abandoned her farm in the village after herdsmen militia invaded their community in Ukum LGA and killed her relatives.
“I relocated to Makurdi and I have no intension of going back soon. What our eyes saw, we are still afraid to tell. We barely escaped with our lives,” she said.
Meanwhile, the state government through the Ministry for Agriculture said that the government has purchased seedlings and other inputs which have been made available to farmers to buy at subsidized rates.
The Commissioner for Agriculture in the state, Prof Moses Ogbaji, urged farmers in the state to approach the ministry for their seedlings and inputs at subsidized rates.
It would be recalled that in December 2024, Governor Hyacinth Alia launched the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG), a 5,000-personnel security outfit as well as a State Joint Task Force (SJTF) codenamed “ANYAM NYOR”, meaning “The Lion has Entered,” comprising all the security apparatuses in the state. The aim was to enhance the safety of lives and property in the state.
Alia had explained that the establishment of “Anyam Nyôr” was a strategic and critical response to the persistent security issues in Benue State, including communal clashes, banditry, killer herdsmen invasions, and other forms of criminality.
He said the security personnel have long been deployed to the communities in the state to work in synergy with the conventional security agencies in the state to ensure safety of lives and property in the state and especially make way for farmers to access their farmlands for food production.
He recently disclosed that his administration has commenced land clearing especially for IDPs to enable them produce their own food and also contribute to food security in the state.
KEBBI
In some parts of Kebbi State, especially in Kebbi South Senatorial District, Governor Nasir Idris has provided maximum security for the farmers.
Again, more than N7 billion was spent on procurement and distribution of free fertilizers to farmers.
Idris observed that sustaining the free distribution of fertilisers to farmers would boost the morale of farmers, increase food production and contribute to national food security.
Similarly, the state government in order to mitigate against the effect of flood on farmers, introduced residual moisture crops to the farmers when over 16,000 of them were given seedlings and fertilisers.
The farmers have started harvesting their potato, maize and other residual moisture crops to mitigate their losses during last year flooding incident.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Alhaji Shehu Ma’azu, while speaking with newsmen, confirmed that farmers have appealed for more interventions.
He said: “The Residual Moisture Crop Production is an initiative of Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi which aims at assisting farmers affected by last year’s flood to recoup and continue their normal life. Under the scheme, the affected farmers received improved potatoes, cassava and maize seeds, fertilisers and chemicals free-of-charge from the state government as a form of encouragement.”
Ma’azu disclosed that when floods wreaked havoc on the communities, the state government through his ministry, supplied improved seeds, fertilisers and chemicals free-of-charge to encourage recovery.
While addressing the farmers, he said: “We are happy that you used the seeds, fertilisers and other inputs supplied to you very well. Today, we are here to inspect what you have done and report back to the governor what we saw.
“Glory be to God Almighty, you people have recovered and the seeds supplied to you were fantastic.”
He added that over 10,000 farmers were expected to participate in the scheme, but over 18,000 registered which have resulted to good outcome.
Speaking with newsmen, the peasant farmers in the villages, who displayed their harvests, confirmed that the initiative had recorded success and cushioned their losses.
Speaking, Alhaji Abubakar Walin-Raha, who represented the District Head of Raha, appreciated Gov. Idris for what he described as a good foresight.
He said: “We are very happy that these seeds are extremely good, we used them and we saw how effective they are. We have started harvesting the crops now even the marketers are in our village to purchase the crops from us.”
Alhaji Tukur Umar, the District Head of Bahindin Bagugo, confirmed that after planting the seeds, he also received three trucks of fertilisers and shared it among the 40 Village Heads in his domain.
He expressed delight over the initiative and appealed to the state government to extend the programme to dry season farming to enable other people benefit.
A peasant farmer, Malam Abubakar Mai-Kifi, said he had been farming for over 40 years, but he had never come across excellent maize seed like the one brought to them by the ministry.
On his part, Alhaji Muhammad Sani, who is also the Marafan Mayalo said the community would never forget Gov. Idris’ administration.
“We are happy that after the flood, life is coming back to normal, we appreciate the governor for the gesture. We also want to extend our gratitude to His Excellency for the reconstruction of the bridge that collapsed during the rainy season.
“In view of this, the entire people of Mayalo have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) and we shall stand by him in any election,” he assured.
A marketer at Mayalo, Ismail Adamu, who purchased the potatoes in bulk for onward transportation to other markets across Nigeria expressed delight over the bumper harvest of potatoes in many Kebbi communities.