By Jimoh Ahmed, Ikare Akoko.
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Farmers in Akoko area of Ondo State have cried out over the high cost of agricultural chemicals, lack of tractors for hire, bad roads and insecurity which they say, pose serious impediments to massive food production.
A cross section of farmers in the area which is noted for arable and food crops cultivation like yam, cassava, cocoyam,maize and others, raised the alarm while reacting to high cost of foodstuffs.
A farmer from Irun Akoko, Mr Bayode Boluwade, said the high cost of chemicals coupled with lack of tractors to hire by farmers as previously provided by government at subsidised rate have made farming difficult.
Another farmer from Okeagbe Akoko, Mr Yaya Imoru, complained bitterly about the total neglect of rural roads to their farms like Okeagbe to Igasi, Irun to Ojeka in Irun to Surulere to mention a few.
According to Imoru, the bad nature of the roads has made the transportation of farm produce to the urban centres difficult thereby making most of them to rot.
On his own, Mr Sunday Omogboye, a farmer in Ikakumo-Akoko noted that nothing less than three farmers were attacked brutally this year in Ikakumo thereby scaring farmers from going to farm.
Omogboye appealed to government to do more on security while communities must not fold their arms in forming local vigilante groups to protect farmers.
An agricultural expert and extension officer in Okeagbe Akoko, Mr Mukaila Ayodele, disclosed that government is doing a lot for farmers to increase food production.
He appealed to farmers to always contact agricultural extension officers in their areas for necessary assistance and expert advice.
