Abia community loses N9.1m to cattle grazing

Eze Okechukwu Ahia, the traditional ruler of Amiyiobilohia community, Isuikwuato Local Government of Abia State, said on Sunday that farmers in the area lost farm produce worth N9.1 million to cattle grazing.

Ahia told newsmen in Port Harcourt that 36 farmers in the community lost cash crops, especially cassava to cattle grazing by Fulani herdsmen in 2013.

“I am afraid, the losses may be more than this because the destruction of farm land in my community continues and we appeal to government to do something urgent,“ he said.

According to Ahia, the herdsmen still move their cows to the community, destroying farmland while the farmers count their losses.

He said the community had written to Abia government on the matter, calling for intervention, saying “we have called on famers to exercise restraint to enable government resolve it.

“The community is concerned that after the 2013 incident, Fulani herdsmen still move into our farmland, destroying cash crops. We have sent a list of 36 claimants to the state government to assist them revive their means of livelihood.”

Ahia urged the state government to adopt a holistic approach to check Fulani herdsmen from passing through farms land.

“We appeal to the state government to identify routes for the herdsmen, to avoid the destruction of farmland. I understand the problem is all over Abia state.

`It is better resolved now to avoid any reprisal from farm owners or communities. We equally appeal to the state government to come to the aid of farmers in my community who lost their crops to cattle grazing,“ he said.