Food scarcity imminent – farmers

The Chairman of Benue State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Aondoana Ohembe, has reiterated Governor Samuel Ortom’s concern that the country risks food shortage, following last week’s flooding which devastated several communities in the state. The farmer said that hundreds of locals farmers, particularly those engaged in mechanised farming, had been counting their losses caused by the flood. Ohembe said he lost over 50 hectares of farmland to the flood. He said, “There is an imminent food scarcity this year if rain continues to wreak havoc in the state. As I speak, hundreds of hectares of farmlands belonging to our association have been washed away. “Benue has comparative advantage in yam, cassava, rice, corn, soybeans and sesame seed. The state is key to the food security of the nation and this year we have invested heavily in farming but the havoc the flood wreaked in the state is unimaginable. I hope Nigeria does not experience a food crisis this year.” The AFAN chairman added that the flooding affected some other unreported local governments, including Logo, Buruku, Gboko, Tarka, Katsina Ala, Agatu and other council areas. A rice farmer identified as Mrs. Kajo claimed that she lost 100 hectares of rice to the flood in Buruku. Kajo said, “The downpour on Wednesday destroyed my farmlands of about 100 hectares located in three places along River Buruku. I took a loan to embark on farming. Unfortunately, the farmlands have been submerged.” A widow, Mrs. Cecilia Terkaa Faga, who lives in an estate behind Zone 4 Police Headquarters, also bemoaned the level of damage the flood had done to her property.