By Fatima Muraina

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Farmers in Ondo state have expressed their displeasure and called on government at all levels to be more proactive to tackle the security challenges facing farmers.

They said many farmers have refused to go back to farms for the fear of being attacked, kidnapped or killed by unscrupulous individuals and the Fulani herdsmen.

They spoke at different interviews saying that the present economic situation will become worse if the issue of insecurity is not taken seriously as many farmers now engage in homestead farming to keep their families alive rather than the commercial farming they were doing which benefits the masses. Chairman of the Agricultural Commodities Association, Chief Abiodun Adejo said more would be done to actively involve the association in formulation of government policies to boost food security.

“But we want the government to know that one of our major problems now is insecurity where farmers are being kidnapped for ransom or killed and crops uprooted to feed cows by herdsmen.

“Many farmers have abandoned their farms as a result of insecurity.

“So, we are praying that government should find lasting solutions to the menace so that the issue of no food could be a thing of the past,” he said.

Contributing, the immediate past Chairman of OSACA, Mr Olugbenga Obaweya, described the issue of security as being beyond what farmers can handle on their own.

He called on Federal and State Governments to intensify more efforts to make sure that farms and road were safe for farmers for easy access, so that they can increase production to enhance food sufficiency and abundance.

He stated that the organisation has done more to equip farmers in areas of training, seminar, field trips and rigorous engagement employed by the various commodity associations in making the modest progress.

Obaweya who appreciated the state government’s efforts so far in security, said more should be done to totally eradicate the menace in the society to allow farmers access in their various farms, noting that food availability, accessibility and affordability is very important for the survival of any state and nation.

A former Bank Manager of Bank of Agriculture, Mrs Olufunmilayo Obada, called on farmers to collaborate with the bank to enhance food security in the state.She advised youths and women to embrace farming as a business and move forward technologically beyond the hoe and cutlass for more bountiful harvest.