The President of Etche co-operative union, Mr Godwin  Akandu, has decried the unwholesome destruction of food and cash crops of farmers in Etche Local Government Area by stray animals.

Mr Akandu who spoke to The Tide yesterday in Port Harcourt said the union has received several reports from members and non members of the association over massive destruction on their farms by stray animals in the area, particularly goats.

He said every farming season, crops worth millions of naira were being destroyed by stray animals in the area stressing that the development has become a major source of worms to farmers.

The co-operative union boss called on the Ochie of Etche, His Royal Majesty Eze E.N.B. Opurum and the supreme council of Traditional rulers and Chiefs, the Divisional Police Officer in Okehi Police Station and Etche Local government council Chairman to use their good offices to stem the trend.

Akandu noted that if not checked, the situation might affect the status of Etche as the food basket of the state.

He expressed regret that owners of the stray animals would allow their animals to destroy crops owned by other farmers, describing the practice as callous and wicked.

Akandu enjoined members of his co-operative union to endeavour to catch any of the animals and report same to the police and not to take the laws into their hands .

He particularly warned members of the co-operative union to desist from allowing his or her animals to destroy agric crops as such would be strictly penalized.

Stray animals themselves are agric produce and we encourage it, but the cash and food crops being destroyed are also farm produce. It would be wicked to allow your goats to destroy others’ products,” he stated.

Akandu appealed to the town criers and local or community chiefs to spread the message and be active, stakeholder in the campaign against destruction of crops by stray animals.

Chris Oluoh