Farmers in Zamfara, Sokoto Decry Bandits' Tax

News in Brief:

-Farmers in Zamfara and Sokoto say bandits now demand levies before allowing them to harvest, forcing some to abandon farmlands or forfeit parts of their yields.

-Despite a bumper harvest across the North, farmers face challenges of insecurity, poor storage, and falling prices, dampening the gains of the farming season.

Farmers in Zamfara and Sokoto States have appealed to the Federal Government to deploy additional security forces to protect them from bandit attacks during the harvest season. Many say criminal groups now impose levies on communities before granting access to farms.

Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim, Sarkin Noman Mayanchi in Maru LGA, urged authorities to “be mindful of their responsibility” by safeguarding rural communities where farmers risk daily attacks.

“Some farmers who cultivated maize and rice are now afraid to go to their farmlands to reap the fruits of their labour,” Ibrahim said.

He noted that farmers in several villages must either pay bandits or forfeit part of their yields, a situation he described as unsustainable and demoralising.

Farmers Forced to Pay to Harvest

In Shinkafi LGA, Alhaji Adamu Bazamfare confirmed that farmers in villages like Bullake, Gidan Daji, and Gobirawa had to pay money to bandits before both cultivation and harvest.

“We recorded good yields this year, but insecurity has overshadowed our joy,” Bazamfare lamented.

He also warned that the government’s food import policy could discourage local farmers, urging instead for fertiliser and input subsidies to strengthen domestic production.

Sokoto Farmers Record Bumper Harvests but Face Flooding, Low Prices

Alhaji Abubakar Danmaliki, Programme Manager of the Sokoto State Agricultural Development Project (SADP), confirmed that farmers in all 23 LGAs recorded impressive yields. However, flooding affected eight LGAs, and post-harvest losses are expected.

Farmers in Wamakko and Argungu complained that prices of major grains have dropped sharply, with paddy rice selling for between ₦25,000 and ₦28,000, compared to ₦45,000 last year.

Insecurity and Storage Deficits Persist in Kebbi

In Kebbi State, farmers reported that insecurity and lack of modern storage facilities remain major obstacles. Mrs Maryam Dogo from Zuru explained that many farmers travel in groups or with security escorts to their farms.

“We have to go in groups for safety, and most of us sell immediately after harvest because there’s nowhere to store our produce,” she said.

Millet farmer Garba Noma added that post-harvest losses can reach up to 30% due to poor storage.

Market surveys indicate that despite security threats, supply has outpaced demand this season, resulting in price declines. A bag of maize and millet now sells for ₦32,000, while onions cost ₦1,300 per measure in Sokoto markets.

Traders attribute the fall to bumper harvests and increased market inflows, though many fear that insecurity could soon reverse the trend.