Farmers list threats to food production in Yagba,Kogi State

Amidst challenges, including inaccessibility to government funding and crop destruction by herders, the Concerned Farmers Association (CFA), Kogi State, got some handouts as members shared hundreds of bags of fertiliser donated by the member, House of Representatives for Yagba West/Yagba East/Mopamuro Federal Constituency, Hon Leke Abejide.

According to the farmers, they were particularly relieved because of the timing of the essential farm inputs.

Speaking at the meeting held at Farmers Secretariat, Odo-Ere, Yagba West Local Government headquarters, secretary of the association, Dapo Adeyemi, said Abejide donated 200 bags of fertiliser to the group and promised further support, including a tractor.

He commended Abejide for “a job well done because of several past difficulties the farmers have had to suffer at the hands of donor agencies without getting neither adequate nor timely farm inputs.”

Chairman of the association, Mr Ayorinde Igunnu, also noted that it would be significantly helpful to farmers if the processes for farm input distribution in the country could emulate the direct and transparent approach deployed by Abejide.

The farmers expressed optimism over bountiful harvest this season from their 20- hectare association farmland and their individual farms.

Commenting on the background, activities and challenges of CFA, Adeyemi disclosed that the association came together about a year ago, and had gained significant traction to the point that Odo Ere, Oke Ere, Okunran, Okoloke and Isanlu Esa communities had joined the group.

He disclosed that members of CFA decided to form a pressure group to confront various challenges of farmers in the area and met weekly since inception “because matters keep arising” and “we have successfully received and shared considerable grants from donors, including the World Bank APPEALS project.”

The Guardian