Ogbonnaya Ikokwu, Umuahia
RICE farmers in Abia State have decried the incessant destruction of their farms by the Fulani herdsmen at Idima Abam and Ndi Oji Abam both in Arochukwu LGA of the state.
The farmers said activities of the herdsmen posed a threat to their business in the state.
The farmers, who spoke through the state President of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Chief Okechukwu Origa, sought the Abia State Government’s assistance to check the herdsmen and enhance their (rice farmers) production capacity.
They commended the Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu, for his love for farmers in the state, describing him as God-sent and pledged to support his administration.

The farmers also urged the state government to help in the improving their rice to a global brand, noting that their rice were more nutritious than the imported products.
They called for financial assistance as well as the provision of chemicals for them to kick off their new rice season, adding that massive rice farming in the state will reduce youth unemployment.
According to the body, commercial rice farming is capital-intensive, thus requires non-governmental organizations’ (NGOs) help to propel.
They also listed some challenges facing them as the lack of farm truck, tractors, grading of access roads to farmlands for easy evacuation of rice produce to the markets and to major roads.