Imo, Abia Farmers Call for Government Aid to Address Challenges

News in Brief

-Farmers in Imo and Abia states face severe challenges from pest invasions, infrastructural deficits, and insecurity. 

-The farmers call on the government for increased mechanisation, safer agro-inputs distribution, and better rural infrastructure.

Farmers in Imo and Abia states have raised urgent calls for government intervention to tackle persistent challenges undermining their production. 

The farmers, speaking separately in Owerri and Umuahia to NAN, identified pest attacks, especially by rodents and birds, and unfavourable government policies as major obstacles to successful farming seasons.

Everest Oparaji, a yam farmer, revealed how rodents and birds often infest their farms before crops mature, significantly reducing yield. He expressed worries about the safety of cheap pesticides, stating that affordable options sometimes make seeds unsafe for human consumption, while safer alternatives remain very expensive and out of reach to farmers. Oparaji appealed for government distribution of subsidised, safer pesticides to farmers.

Steve Akalonu’s challenge is mostly about transportation; he lamented how the poor rural road conditions, aggravated by heavy rains, increased transportation costs to markets. This squeezes farmers' profits as transporters charge exorbitant fees to deliver produce from remote communities.

Chinaka Uzoma, who cultivates yam and cassava, urged governments at all levels to invest in mechanised farming equipment. He highlighted the benefits of machinery not only for cultivation but also for essential tasks like weeding and pesticide application, which could reduce labour time and enable expansion of farm areas. Uzoma noted that the high cost of such machinery makes it unaffordable for individual farmers or cooperatives without government support.

Security Threats and Border Policy

Mrs Ugochi Nwanne shared her fears that insecurity and suspected attacks by herders and thieves threaten her cassava farm in Emii, Owerri North LGA. She expressed apprehension about farm invasions during harvesting periods. 

“I fear that my farm might be invaded by suspected herders and other produce thieves, because we hear cases of stealing around this farm settlement,” Nwanne said.

Similarly, other farmers reported that communal clashes in Abia at harvest time have prevented access to farms, causing significant production losses.

Student and farmer, Henry Iwundu,  decried heavy losses experienced after the country’s borders reopened, increasing competition from imported food products. Despite high input costs during border closures, farmers now face lower market prices due to the influx of imports. 

“The opening of borders has brought a lot of competition. In spite of the availability of foodstuffs in the market, we are unfortunately experiencing losses because we planted when the borders were closed. We bought inputs at exorbitant prices, but today, we’re selling at lower prices with the opening of the borders,” he said.

Iwundu, who also keeps bees and grows pepper and cereals, called for policies that protect local farmers and investments.

Economic Impact on Palm Oil Farmers

Friday Nwamkpa, a palm tree farmer, called on the Federal Government to consider the effects of agricultural policies on farmers, noting stagnant palm oil prices due to the rains. He expressed hope that prices would increase with the rainy season to enable farmers who stored palm oil to recover their investments and make profits.

In Umuahia, farmers echoed demands for greater government engagement to enhance food production and security. Mr Ndudim Ikelua, Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) in Abia, lamented how communal clashes during peak harvest led to the loss of much produce.

“We lost so much of our produce and were only able to salvage less than 10 tonnes, instead of the 42 tonnes we projected,” Ikelua said.