The Association of United Farm Products, Traders and Livestock Dealers of Nigeria has called on the government at all levels to improve the security of farmers, attributing the shortage of food production in the country to attacks on farmers across the nation by bandits and herdsmen.
Stephen Akombo, the association’s national president, disclosed this in Imilike, Enugu State during the investiture of Zainab Mohammed as national matron, urging members of the association to continue praying for an end to the situation.
He expressed his worry over the insecurity in the country, which has deteriorated into attacks on farmers, and warned that the nation would be plunged into acute famine if the federal government and other tiers of government failed to guarantee the safety of Nigeria’s farmers.
Governors Forum Condemns Killing of Rice Farmers in Borno
“Farmers are afraid of going to their farms due to incessant attacks on them. Nobody wants to die. Because of that, there has been a gross shortage of food production. Governments at various levels need to do more to guarantee the safety of farmers,” Akombo urged.
In his remarks, Chief James Ugwu, national patron, described the investiture of Mohammed – who is also president of the Women Chamber of Commerce, Agriculture, Mines and Industry – as a square peg in a square hole, adding that the importance of matron within the association cannot be overemphasized due to the fact that about 65 percent of its members are women.
Farmers Threaten Self-Help Against Herdsmen Attacks In Oyo Community
In her address, Mohammed said her investiture was a call to duty that she would take seriously, noting that the work of securing farmers and the nation at large demands a collective effort.
