Rural farmers in Benue on Friday appealed to the State and Federal Governments to assist in stockpiling foodstuff to avert famine, following the irregular rainfall in the country.
A cross section of the farmers told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Makurdi that the irregular rainfall had caused crops to wilt away in farms.
Farmers from villages in Guma, Tarka and Gboko Local Government Councils lamented the loss of crops like maize, groundnut and yams and blamed it on the impending drought, following inadequate rains.
A maize farmer, Mr Anwase Akuraga, from Awuna village in the outskirts of Makurdi, complained of losing his one hectare of maize farm to drought.
“All the maize I planted around May this year had been adversely affected by this irregular rainfall.
“They all turned from their greenish colour to yellowish then withered off due to the compete stoppage of the rains.
” If the government does not act swiftly by stockpiling foodstuffs to save the situation, then our people should be prepared to face famine,” he warned.
Other farmers, who corroborated the views of Akuraga, also advised the government to act swiftly to avert the impending food crises in the state and country at large.
NAN observes that the irregular rainfall has also caused wells in Makurdi to dry up thereby forcing residents to trek long distances in search of potable water.
NAN
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