Farmers in Zamfara and Sokoto States have appealed to the Federal Government to deploy more security personnel to safeguard rural communities against increasing bandit attacks that are threatening this year’s harvest.

The appeal comes as many farmers face growing insecurity across parts of northern Nigeria, with reports indicating that armed groups are now imposing levies on communities and preventing access to farmlands unless payments are made.

Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Gusau, several farmers expressed concern that their hard work may go to waste if urgent action is not taken.

Alhaji Kabir Ibrahim, the Sarkin Noman Mayanchi in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State, said that while the state recorded impressive yields this season, harvesting had become a major challenge due to widespread insecurity.

“Farmers who cultivated maize and rice are afraid to visit their farmlands,” Ibrahim said. “In many areas, bandits demand money before allowing us to harvest. Some farmers have even abandoned their farms for fear of being kidnapped.”

He added that some communities had resorted to surrendering part of their yields to bandits just to be allowed to harvest the remaining crops, describing the situation as “disheartening and unsustainable.”

In Shinkafi Local Government Area, a farmers’ leader, Alhaji Adamu Bazamfare, also urged the government to act swiftly. 

He said that although farmers were pleased with this year’s bumper harvest, insecurity and poor market prices had dampened their gains.

“Governments at all levels must intervene to help us harvest our crops and prepare for dry-season farming,” Bazamfare said. “We need better protection and support, not policies that discourage local production.”

Bazamfare criticised the Federal Government’s food importation policy, warning that it could demoralise local farmers. 

He urged authorities to redirect import funds towards subsidising fertilisers and other inputs, to strengthen the agricultural sector and sustain rural livelihoods.

In Sokoto State, the Programme Manager of the Sokoto Agricultural Development Project (SADP), Alhaji Abubakar Danmaliki, confirmed that farmers across the state’s 23 local government areas had recorded strong yields despite challenges such as flooding and insecurity.

“So far, farmers have recorded good harvests, but floods and low prices remain major concerns,” Danmaliki said, adding that eight local councils had been affected by severe flooding this year.

Farmers across Kebbi State shared similar frustrations. While many recorded high yields due to favourable rainfall and government support, low market prices and insecurity have eroded profits.

Malam Abdullahi Musa, a rice farmer in Argungu, said that despite improved rainfall and free fertiliser distribution, prices had dropped sharply.

“A bag of paddy rice that sold for ₦45,000 last year now goes for around ₦25,000,” Musa said. “The fall in prices and the competition from imported food have made things worse.”

Women farmers have also expressed concern. Mrs Maryam Dogo from Zuru said insecurity remained a major challenge, especially in remote farming areas.

“Many of us cannot go to our farms freely. Even during harvest, we move in groups for safety with security escorts,” she said.

Farmers and traders in Birnin Kebbi confirmed that the abundant supply of grains from this year’s harvest had contributed to falling market prices, with maize, rice, millet, and sorghum prices declining across the region.

Source: Vanguard