Cross River rice farmers seek government assistance

While experts are advocating the diversification of the nation’s economy as a way of improving the revenue generated by the country with special focus on the agricultural sector, the rice farmers in Lekoikam, a community in Nko, Yakurr, Cross River State, are calling on the state government for support.

Those at the front pew of this call were majorly rice farmers who are battling with the inhibiting activities of pests and diseases that have affected their farmlands.

Apart from pests and diseases, they also mentioned lack of finance and inadequate fertilizers as another major limitation affecting the cultivation of the crop.

“The problem we face here are pest and we lack fertiliser,” said Omini Mbang, a rice farmer in the region.

Mbang, who doubles as chairman representing Nko community at a workshop held in Presbyterian Secondary School recently, further revealed that they were yet to receive fertilisers promised by the ministry of agriculture since 2013.

“Delegates from the ministry of agric who came from Enugu had promised us fertilisers in 2013 and since then, we have not seen anything,” said Mbang.

He pleaded with the government to assist farmers in the provision of loans, fertilisers and pesticides to enable combat pest and diseases and as well produce more.

 

Desmond Okon