By Member Madaki
Agriculture remains the backbone of rural communities in Nasarawa State’s Southern Senatorial Zone, with Awe Local Government Area emerging as a key hub for crop production. However, this livelihood is under severe threat due to the persistent invasion of herders who graze their cattle on farmlands, destroying crops meant for both consumption and commercial use.
However, the Federal Government’s policy on agriculture has been tailored towards achieving food security, agricultural transformation, sustainable practices, value chain development, youth and private sector engagement, investment-financing and climate change.
Meanwhile, attainment of food security in the country, particularly in Nasarawa State, has been plagued by numerous factors like conflict and insecurity, poverty and economic challenges, population growth, poor infrastructure and storage, climate change among others.
In Baure District of Awe, farmlands have been reduced to barren fields, with no crops or hedges in sight, and communities such as Ukerchia, Keana, Dugh, Wua, Avungu, Baure, Ungwan Koro, Kwala, Angas, Mada, and Hausa have lost staple crops like yam, rice, maize, millet, guinea corn, and soya beans to unchecked grazing.
Residents: Yahaya Ibrahim, Aya Johnson, Idris Usman, and Zaki Uvir Usua expressed frustration over the destruction, lamenting the lack of intervention from government and traditional authorities, many families have been forced to migrate or take up menial jobs to survive.
Mrs. Margaret Kelvin noted that the crisis has pushed many women into charcoal production and sales as a coping mechanism.
President of the Tiv Youth Association, Comrade Isaiah Audu, warned that the situation could spiral into anarchy and widespread hunger if left unaddressed.
The Emir of Awe, Isa Abubakar Umar, and the District Head of Baure, Abdullahi Mohammed, condemned the destructive grazing practices, calling them barbaric and urging herders to desist.
As the harvest season approaches, affected farmers are left with a haunting question: how will they survive with nothing left to harvest?
Edited by JOEY Anzaku.
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