Agriculture
Lecturer Seeks Law Against Cattle Movement In Rivers
The Rivers State Government has been called upon to make a law that would enable cattle grazers in the state confine their animals to check the incidence of destruction of crops and other valuables by hardsmen across the state.
A lecturer in the Department of Sociology, University of Port Harcourt Dr Steve Wordu who gave the task in an exclusive interview with our special correspondent on Monday in Port Harcourt said that any keen observer in Rivers State will notice that there are Fulani herdsmen all over the state encroaching on people’s farmland and destroying crops.
He explained that there had been minor incidents where cattle rearers attacked some farmers at Rukpokwu and elesewhere over the distruction of their crops by these herdsmen.
“All over Rivers State, like Omoku, Ahoada, Abua, Mbiama and up to Etche, infact anywhere people farm, we have this menace.
“The first issue is that their cattle damage crops and we know that our people are predominantly farmers and when you damage people’s crops you reduce their productivity which threatens food security and price,” he said.
He expressed the fear that the development, if not checked, would add another dimension of conflict when farmers rise against the destruction of their crops and farmland.
“We know for sure that part of the clashes in Jos is as a result of cattle grazing when hardsmen use their cattle to encroach on people’s farmland and destroy their crops.
Though it has not become a major conflict issue, the University don expressed the opinion that the state government should address the problem on time to nip it in the bud because of its obvious escalation in the future.
Dr Wordu cautioned against the possibility of farmers and herdsmen clashing, that since our people were not violent and fierce as those herdsmen, it was expedient that the cattle be confined.
“ I would suggest that the Rivers State government should restrict the movement of these herdsmen by way of legislation.
“There should be a law stipulating that these cattle should be restricted or confined to certain places, and if possible the government can build a ranch or camp where all the cattle rearers can keep their cattle and go out to fetch fodder rather than using their cattle to encroach on peoples farmland.
“I forsee and I am very clear about it that if the problem is not handled, if the situation is not controlled now, there would be a time when the population of cattle rearers will increase and the encroachment on people’s farms and destruction of farms would increase and that would escalate into violence in future,” he warned.
So, to protect both agriculture and food security in the state, there was the need according to him, to urgently curtail the grazing range of these Fulani cattle herdsmen across the state.
Federal Government and the Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, distributed farm inputs to farmers as part of effort to address food security challenge.
The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, during the flag-off ceremony of Inputs Redemption Under The National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), in Ogun State, disclosed that beneficiaries of the gesture were primarily rice, maize and cassava farmers across the State.
Ayo-Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for partnering with the government at the centre for the effort in supporting farmers with inputs that would bring about yieldings for local consumption and likely exportation.
She noted that government is supporting rice, cassava and maize farmers with inputs worth N212,000; N189,000 and N186,000 respectively.
The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, who represented the Commissioner in the Ministry, Bolu Owotomo, stated that traditional farmers are critical in food production, hence the need to encourage and support them with inputs that would bring about desired results during harvesting.
Owotomo said: “Let us make good use of this opportunity, so that the success of this phase will make farmers benefit more from the state and federal governments of Nigeria.”
Earlier, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ayo-Ajayi, appreciated the present administration for partnering with the federal government for the initiative, adding that the programme is designed to support farmers at the grassroots level in cassava, rice and maize with inputs such as, seeds, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, to boost their production and enhance their livelihood.
The Niger State Government has mapped out 10,000 hectares of farmland in Gbapo Community of Katcha Local Government Area of the State for smallholder farmers to benefit from the state government’s agricultural intervention programme.
Two thousand out of the 10,000 holders of the farmlands have already received inputs.
At a flag-off ceremony in Yinti Village, the facilitator of the programme, Shinkafan Nupe, Malam Idris Usman Makanta, assured the farmers of increased distributions to the mapped-out ten thousand (10,000) farmlands if farmers respond positively.
He explained that the commencement of the two thousand is to measure the positive response of farmers before obtaining full-scale support.
Malam Makanta stated that this initiative aligns with the farmers’ initial commitment through Niger Foods, whose mission is primarily geared towards establishing efficient and profitable agricultural businesses to support the present administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s quest to boost agricultural productivity in the state.
He also commended Niger Foods for their steadfastness and resilience in the effective implementation of the input financing scheme.
Makanta reiterated the commitment of the State Governor in making judicious use of the arable land in the state.
Shinkafan Nupe, therefore, urged the farmers to support the Governor by using the inputs wisely so that the dream can be actualised.
The Gombe State Government has empowered a total of 573,429 farmers and entrepreneurs under the 4th phase of the GO-CARES programme.
The programme was officially flagged off by Governor Inuwa Yahaya in another major step towards alleviating poverty and supporting the state’s vulnerable populations.
The Governor, while inaugurating the disbursement in Akko Community of Akko Local Government Area, restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable citizens in the state.
He was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee on GO- CARES implementation.
“The 4th phase of GO-CARES will directly and indirectly impact a total of 573,429 citizens across the state. Of these, 152,429 individuals will benefit directly through cash transfers, livelihood grants, agricultural inputs, and operational grants to small businesses”, he stated.
The Governor added that, “421,000 people will be indirect beneficiaries through infrastructural projects such as classroom blocks, healthcare facilities, WASH services, and rural infrastructure projects like culverts and drainages”.
Yahaya, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the state’s most vulnerable citizens are not left behind in the state’s development.
According to him, “Earlier this year, on June 25, 2024, we flagged off the distribution of improved seedlings, fertilizers, and herbicides to less privileged farmers in Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area, signaling the commencement of the 4th phase implementation of GO-CARES under Result Area 2”.
The Governor reiterated that these initiatives have had a significant impact on the livelihoods of beneficiaries and the overall agricultural sector.
He explained that, “Today’s ceremony marked the simultaneous launch of activities under all three GO-CARES Result Areas for the 4th phase. These areas include: State Cash Transfer Grants: 2,500 direct beneficiaries; Labour Intensive Public Works: 2,700 direct beneficiaries; Livelihood Grants: 10,000 direct beneficiaries; and Basic Services: 405,000 indirect beneficiaries”.
