Some workers of the Benue
Ministry of Agriculture have expressed fear that unless something was done urgently to get farmers back to their farms, the state might experience acute food shortage in the near future.
The workers, who spoke to newsmen yesterday in Makurdi, expressed their fear because of the alleged incessant attacks on farmers by the Fulani herdsmen.
The Tide gathered that of the 23 local government areas in the state, the six that are prone to the herdsmen attacks are Duma, Gwer West, Makurdi, Agatu and Logo.
They said the attacks had made it difficult for the farmers to cultivate their crops and that those who did in the last planting season could not harvest them, noting that the situation might lead to increase in prices of agricultural produce which in turn would make the cost of feeding high for the common man.
The workers suggested that government as a palliative measure should buy and stockpile agricultural produce which it could resell to the populace in case of food scarcity
Mrs Veronica Ogbu, said that most farmers were unable to cultivate their crops during the 2013 farming season for fear of attack by the herdsmen.
Mr Patrick Tyohuna also said that the few farmers who planted crops were unable to harvest because they were allegedly forced out of their communities by the herdsmen.
“They (farmers) are currently taking refuge with their relatives in Makurdi and other areas in the state that are experiencing relative peace.
“They painfully abandoned their yields to waste in the bush and this is a sign of danger,” he said.
Mr James Zuai, also of the agriculture ministry, said the incessant attacks would surely cause the prices of agricultural produce to rise beyond the reach of the commoners.
Zuai said that increase in the prices of agricultural products would be possible because many farmers had deserted their farms in order to save their lives.
Mr Philip Angitso, however, called on the state government to make alternative arrangement so as to avert the imminent hunger which might result from acute food shortage in the near future.
He appealed to the government to buy and store agricultural produce in large quantities as a palliative measure, while Mr Benjamin Atim appealed to the government to tackle the communal clashes between the farmers and the herdsmen so that farmers could go back to their farms,.
He said the earlier the the government did that the better because the rainy season was by the corner during which this year’s planting season would commence.
Atim also urged the government to assist the farmers by providing them with farm tools, seedlings and insecticides which were lost to the attacks.
“It will be good if they are rehabilitated to enable them to forget about the calamity and forge ahead with life,” he said.