The Chairman, Etche Farmers Co-operatives Association, Godwin Akandu has decried the destruction of farm crops by stray animals in the area.
Akandu noted that his members were recording huge losses due to the activities of stray domestic animals and urged owners of the animals to control the movement of their animals to check the trend.
“Those who own or rear domestic animals should make sure that these animals are not allowed unrestricted movement such that they trespass into other people’s farms to destroy their crops.
“If you remember, this is the major reason why the activities of Fulani herdsmen are being condemned. Destroying people’s farm crops or allowing your animals feed on people’s crops is not only bad but wicked”, he said.
Akandu explained that reports had been made to chiefs, security agencies but noted that owners of these domestic animals, especially goats and sheep, still allow their animals unrestricted movements.
He stressed the need for community leaders to be part of the campaign against the menace.
A farmer, John Nwadike, told The Tide correspondent in Mba community on Saturday that cassava, vegetables, yams and other crops in farms close to the homes were being destroyed daily by domestic animals straying around homes.
“These animals, traditionally are expected to be restricted to particular area where they are provided feeds by their owners, but unfortunately the owners now allow them to forage hence, they enter into farms and eat up farm crops.
“This is quite discouraging, especially in this era that emphasis is on agriculture. Raring animals is good because it is also part of agriculture, but using your animals to destroy other farmers crops is something else”, he said.