Giving the rising incidents of insecurity in the State, the Government of Enugu State has taken proactive and tested measures to ensure the security and safety of farmers to boost food sufficiency in the State.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro Industrialization, Patrick Ubru. Ubru stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, on Monday in Enugu, the State Capital.
The Commissioner stated that the Government has collaborated with the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, to establish an Agro-Rangers Squad.
Ubru pointed that the Agro-Rangers Squad, is meant to complement other security outfits on ground. He said the Squad would be all out to protect farmers and farmlands in the State.
“This squad with a specialized training on agricultural protection and other technological gadgets will checkmate all forms of insecurity complained about by our farmers, both commercial and small holder farmers in the State.
“The squad is stationed in major farms in the State as well as special agro-processing centres and facilities,” he said.
Ubru said the Agric Ministry was also discussing with the Miyetti Allah group so that they would also join in ensuring security for all.
He said: “We are meeting with them to ensure that they help in putting their members in check.
“They would help us to identify those herders who are not their members. Those that have penetrated and instigated acts that caused misunderstanding among herders and farmers.”
The Commissioner said that the State Government in partnership with the Federal Government has established a military base in Isi-Uzo. He said the partnership is to tackle the incessant farmers/herders clashes in Isi-Uzo Council Area.
“Very soon, farmers/herders clashes and some persons moving with unauthorized weapons in the area will be a thing of the past,” he said.
Ubru noted that the State Government had invested so much in agriculture as a business. He stated that the State has done a lot of agro-industrial partnerships with donor agencies.
He stated that the Government was poised to ensure that its agricultural “transformation and revolution made the desired anticipated impact”.
Speaking on the security challenges facing the State, Ubru said the Governor Peter Mbah-led administration has invested heavily on security. He, however, stated that both covert and overt security measures have been taken.
“This is to ensure that the State meets its set targets in agriculture holistically. Which also covers rural development, industrialization, food sufficiency, food security and its attendant employment opportunities.
“Upscaling agriculture through massive investment and massive mechanization are the cardinal push in the state government’s envisioned plan of moving the state from an economy of present $4.4 billion to $30 billion within the next eight years,” he said.
source: Premium Times
