Ondo farmers raise alarm over impending famine

Farmers  in Ondo State have raised alarm over what they called looming famine due to outbreak of army worms  ravaging  the maize farms  and erratic rainfall.  The Chairman, Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association, (OSACA) Mr  Akin Olotu who made the disclosure in Akure  said there it’s obvious that there is looming famine especially in the […]

Farmers  in Ondo State have raised alarm over what they called looming famine due to outbreak of army worms  ravaging  the maize farms  and erratic rainfall. 
The Chairman, Ondo State Agricultural Commodities Association, (OSACA) Mr  Akin Olotu who made the disclosure in Akure  said there it’s obvious that there is looming famine especially in the south west. 
According to him, the three-fold deadly punches include;erratic rainfall pattern this year, outbreak of army worm in the state and the invasion of  the herdsmen. 
He however called for new farming system that is sustainable in all ramifications which he said has become imperative.
“This can only become a reality with a complete re-orientation of the farming populace. It is time to emphasize or give preference to organic fertilizer (compost making etc.) which will assist in improving our soil structure and better water retention.
“Our research institutes should come up with drought tolerant varieties and also, farmers down South should begin to try their hands on crops like sorghum and potato which has lesser demand for water,” he said. 
He spoke on the menace of  herdsmen and said  that the genuine and peace loving ones should submit themselves to registration and identification, so that tracking the trouble shooters that are alleged to be non-Nigerians, will be identified easily.