Farmers along the Maiduguri-Damboa-Biu Road, on the outskirts of Maiduguri, have recently made an appeal to the military for an extension of the timeframe allowed for farming activities.
Many farmers, who were interviewed by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Maiduguri, expressed their desire for the current timeframe of 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. to be expanded. They also requested for an increase in the number of farmers permitted to engage in farming during this timeframe.
“Security personnel issue passes to a limited number of farmers on a daily basis, and without the pass, no farmer can access their farm,” said Mr. Abdullahi, one of the farmers who spoke to NAN.
“What we want is for more farmers to be allowed and for the timeframe to be expanded so that farmers can go to their farms between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.,” he added.
Despite their concerns, Mr. Abdullahi commended the security personnel for the noticeable improvement in the security situation in the area.
He further stated that as conditions continue to improve, it would be appropriate to gradually relax the tight security measures that were put in place.
Malam Modu, another farmer, raised concerns about the intrusion of herdsmen who graze their cattle on farmlands during the absence of farmers, particularly during harvest periods.
“We are instructed to vacate the farms by 4 p.m., but we often wonder why some herdsmen are allowed to remain behind and graze their cattle on our crops,” insisted Mr. Modu.
Babagoni, Haruna, and Lazarus, three other farmers, pointed out that on the alternate route, the Maiduguri-Damaturu Road, military personnel allow farming activities to commence at 7 a.m. They suggested that the same timing should be applied to the Maiduguri-Biu route.
Furthermore, they urged for regular meetings to be held between security personnel and farmers, with the aim of reaching a mutually beneficial agreement.
“Sometimes security personnel give farmers short notice to conclude their harvests, resulting in many harvested crops being unripe,” noted Mr. Haruna.
A security personnel, who spoke to NAN on the condition of anonymity, assured that all measures put in place were aimed at safeguarding the interests of the farmers.
“A few months ago, nobody would have dared to farm in this area. But with the improved security situation, many are now allowed to access their farms, albeit with some restrictions,” he explained.
“Farmers should exercise patience. With time, everything will be better for all of us,” he added.
NAN
