Rampaging cattle destroy crops worth millions in Gombe
Farmers in Wuro Joi, in kwami East in kwami local government area of Gombe State are lamenting their loses following an enroachment by herders into their farm lands.
Recall that the State Government recently after an expanded security council meeting and deliberated on a number of issues, where it warned farmers to desist from burning folder to give room for grazing, while issuing deadline January 2022 for produce to be harvested.
The government also outlawed migration of herders from other states till the end of harvest period.
Announcing this on behalf of government, Commissioner for Information Julius Ishaya said the steps were geared towards mitigating herders, farmers conflicts, especially in the face food scarcity.
“There shall be no farming and grazing activities as from 6pm to 6am. Likewise, grazing by under aged children is also prohibited.
“Council also directed that farmers must work hard to get their harvest done as quick as possible and they are not allowed to folder the remnant on their farms this is to ensure that after they are done with their harvest herders can come and benefit from it.
“Council also directed that migrating herders and their cattles are not allowed into Gombe State until after harvest which will last till the end of January 2022 this will ensure the state does not run into food crisis.”
Confirming the extent of destruction to our correspondent, Village Head of Wuro joi, Babayo Abubakar decried the incidence of crops.
He noted that the destruction would have dire consequences on the availability of food items, stressing that victims should be compensated.
Our correspondent reports that the food crops destroyed includes; beans and sorghum estimated in millions of Naira.
“Our farm lands where we planted beans and sorghum were destroyed by herders with their cattles, here in Wuro Joi and we need the support of government to support us. Alot of money was invested to farm these produce,” Abubakar said.
Attempts made by our correspondent to get the commissioner for Agriculture Muhammad Magaji, on the interventions of government was unsuccessful as at the time of filing this report.
