BY Kunle Daramola
The Enugu government says it has taken “proactive and tested” measures to ensure the safety of farmers in the state.
Patrick Ubru, the commissioner for agriculture and agro-industrialisation in Enugu, said the government would meet with the leadership of the Miyetti Allah group on the security of farmers and herders in the state.
“We are meeting with them to ensure that they help in putting their members in check,” NAN quoted Ubru as saying.
“They would help us to identify those herders who are not their members who penetrate and instigate acts that cause misunderstanding among herders and farmers.”
The commissioner said the government has collaborated with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to establish an agro-ranger squad to protect farmers and farmlands in the state.
“This squad with specialised training on agricultural protection and other technological gadgets will checkmate all forms of insecurity complained about by our farmers, both commercial and smallholder farmers in the state,” he said.
“The squad is stationed on major farms in the state, as well as in special agro-processing centres and facilities.
“Very soon, farmers/herders clashes and some persons moving with unauthorised weapons will be a thing of the past within the council area and its adjoining local governments.”
He said that the state government is poised to ensure that its agricultural transformation and revolution make the desired and anticipated impact.
The commissioner said the Peter Mbah-led administration has invested heavily in security to protect its investment in agriculture.
“This is to ensure that the state meets its set targets in agriculture holistically, which also covers rural development and industrialization, food sufficiency, food security, and its attendant employment opportunities,” he said.
“Upscaling agriculture through massive investment and massive mechanisation is the cardinal push in the state government’s envisioned plan of moving the state from an economy of present $4.4 billion to $30 billion within the next eight years.”
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