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From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang has deployed agro rangers to protect farmers and their crops in the flashpoints of the recent inter-communal clashes between farmers and herders in Mangu, Barkin Ladi and Riyom local government areas of the state.
The agro rangers are specialized trained police personnel, whose deployment would ensure that the crops were shielded from further destruction.
This, according to the the Managing Director and CEO of the Agricultural Services and Training Center and Marketing Ltd (ASTC), Dr. Susan Bentu, is in response to the appeal made by farmers to the governor to provide security for the cultivated crops and encouraging displaced persons to return to their homes
Speaking at Ligitlubang Community in Mangu Local Government Area, where the ceremony was flagged off, Bentu, said that Mutfwang directed the intervention to cover communities affected by recent attacks and farm destruction.
Bentu stated that the State Government has commissioned ASTC to complement the efforts of the farmers by cultivating lands in areas that suffered from the unfortunate attacks that resulted in the displacement of numerous farmers from their lands.
According to her, the initiative was a demonstration of the government’s resolve to support and revitalize the agricultural sector in the war ravaged communities.
She said, “The government’s initiative comes as a respite for these communities, as His Excellency Governor Caleb Mutfwang approved the cultivation of 900 hectares of land across three local government areas of Mangu, Barkin Ladi, and Riyom LGAs in the first phase of the intervention” Bentu stated
The CEO said the primary objective of this intervention was to enable farmers in these affected communities to salvage what remains of the farming season and prevent their farmlands from going to waste.
She stated that in spite of the advanced stage of the farming season, the government has also instructed ASTC to plant some late crops, like as beans and soya beans.
Deputy Commandant Head of Agro Rangers, NSCDC Plateau State Command, Olusola Bakene, also speaking at the event, assured farmers that his team was fully ready to protect and secure their farmlands.
Chairman Mwaghavul Development Association, Bunga District, Mr Dafwat Nanribet, who represented the traditional council, expressed his gratitude to the government’s intervention.
He expressed happiness that after witnessing the destruction of all their cultivated farms earlier in the year, the communities are elated that the government was taking steps to address their hardships through farming interventions.
Elder Ezekiel Dashial and Mr Nanribe Samuel, whose farms suffered severe destruction told the government delegation how they lost their entire source of livelihoods as they were forced to abandon their crops due to the incessant attacks.
They, however, expressed optimism that with the present government’s intervention, they may be able to go back to their homes and farms.
