Abia rice farmers send SOS to governor over destruction of farmlands by herdsmen

Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RFAN) Abia State chapter has sent Save Our Souls (SOS) message to the state government over the excesses of Fulani herdsmen whose activities they say pose a threat to their business.

The rice farmers, who made this in a release made available to BusinessDay after a meeting of the Association’s local government coordinators held in Umuahia, the state capital, lamented that large farmlands belonging to their members had been destroyed by rampaging cows at Idima Abam and Ndi Oji Abam, both in Arochukwu LGA of the state.

The release, which was signed by the Association’s state president, Okechukwu Origa, equally pleaded with the state government for assistance to boost their production capacity.

He commended the Governor Okezie Ikpeazu for his love for farmers in the state, describing him as God-sent and urged his members to always support his administration.

The rice farmers urged the state government to help in the popularization of home grown rice to a global brand, noting that their rice were more nutritious than the imported brand.

They also called for financial assistance as well as provision of chemicals for them to kick-off their new rice season, while promising to contribute to the reduction of youth unemployment in the state if adequately funded.

According to body, commercial rice farming was capital-intensive, and as such required government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) assistance to move forward.

They also listed some of the challenges facing them to include: Farm truck, tractors, grading of access roads to farmlands for easy evacuation of rice produce to the markets and to major roads.