Herdsmen Attacks: Manchok Farmers Lose Millions as Crops are Destroyed
In a devastating turn of events, farmers in the Manchok community of Kaura Local Government Area in Kaduna State have lost crops worth millions of naira to alleged herdsmen attacks. The recent destruction of farmlands has left many farmers in a state of despair, with some reporting losses of up to N12.78 million.
According to Mrs. Martina David, a mother of four, her sweet potato farm was ravaged by cattle, resulting in the loss of nearly N1.3 million she had invested in the cultivation of the crop. The farm, which spanned nearly four hectares of land, was expected to yield at least 752 bags of sweet potatoes. However, after the attack, nothing was left of the investment.
"I fell on my knees and cried, wondering how I would get out of the predicament. I pulled myself together, wiped my tears, and created some barriers to protect what was left. But to my surprise, when I returned the following day, the entire potato plants had been wiped out by cattle," David lamented.
Another farmer, Mr. Ibrahim Yashim, a primary school teacher, reported a similar incident. He invested N730,000 in the cultivation of guinea corn on four hectares of land. However, three-quarters of the farm was destroyed by cattle, leaving him with a significant loss.
The National Leader of the Youth Wing of the Moro’a Development Association, Mr. La’ah Philemon, revealed that at least 39 farms have been destroyed by herdsmen in the area. He expressed concern over the looming hunger in Moro’a land and called for a ban on open grazing during the rainy season to prevent further destruction of crops.
Philemon noted that most of the victims are in a dilemma, as the rainy season is almost over, making it impossible to replant the same crops. He also reported that one farmer had lost his life in a confrontation with herdsmen, while three others escaped with injuries.
The District Head of Manchok, Mr. Ishaya Tabat, confirmed the incidents and stated that the traditional council has intervened in the matter. The Ardo, Mr. Salisu Ibrahim, acknowledged that the dialogue between the Fulani and community leaders has been fruitful and assured the farmers that compensation would be paid soon.
In light of these events, we call on the government and relevant organizations to come to the aid of the victims and provide them with the necessary support to feed their families and survive the current economic hardship.
Our Recommendations:
- The government should implement a ban on open grazing during the rainy season to prevent further destruction of crops.
- Compensation should be provided to the affected farmers to enable them to recover from their losses.
- The government should provide security agencies with the necessary resources to protect farmers and their crops from herdsmen attacks.
- A sustainable solution should be found to address the issue of herdsmen and farmers’ conflicts in the area.
By working together, we can ensure that the rights of farmers are protected, and the community is able to thrive.
What do you think about the recent herdsmen attacks on farmers in Manchok? Share your thoughts with us on social media using the hashtag #ProtectFarmersRights.
