Brave Dickson
Some agro experts in Rivers State have predicted scarcity of tuber crops such as yam, cassava among others, following the unabated cult killings in some parts of farming communities in the state.
The experts who revealed this to our correspondent through their leader, Engr Fidelis Amadi said reports from field farmers in some troubled communities showed that this year will experience severe scarcity in tuber crops.
Amadi who is the National President, Association of Commercial Farmers and Agro-Allied Producers of Nigeria said killers have turned people’s farms into shallow graves.
“There will be a serious shortage of cassava, yam, plantain etc in Rivers State if nothing is done to halt cult killings in remote farming communities in the state.
“We get daily reports from our farmers in the field and the majority of them have been discouraged to farm because of cult killings.
“The Ogoni axis is one area we used to expect more farm produce but this year will not be so because the cult killings there has not been abated.
“Another disaster that will help worsen food scarcity in the state is the incoming flooding.
“When it starts, it will be better to stay at home because nobody does farming in flooded farmland.
“So, is either flood rots the crops or fear of cult killings demoralizes our farmers from farming and of course the imported northern food will hike in price.
“It is time for the government to be proactive on measures that will curtail insecurity and flooding, else the state will continue to suffer from food shortage.
Alternatively, the government can provide some sorts of insurance for farmers as a way of boosting their farming morale against losses occasioned by insecurity and flooding.”
