Yobe IDPs return to farm 3 years after

For almost three years, about 300,000 people were displaced from their communities by the Boko Haram insurgency in Gujba and Gulani local government areas of Yobe State. Some took refuge with relations in host communities, others lived in self-setup camps while others were accommodated in government established camps in Damaturu. To reduce dependence in the […]

For almost three years, about 300,000 people were displaced from their communities by the Boko Haram insurgency in Gujba and Gulani local government areas of Yobe State. Some took refuge with relations in host communities, others lived in self-setup camps while others were accommodated in government established camps in Damaturu.
To reduce dependence in the camp, the IDPs, mostly subsistence farmers, and a fraction of petty traders, have begun returning home, aiming to take advantage of the rainy season that is about to set in.
When this reporter visited Katarko and Gujba villages, over 70 per cent of the population have returned and were making preparations to participate in agriculture this cropping season.
Mallum Usman, a returnee IDP, said, “The presence of soldiers in the village has given us a sense of confidence and security to resettle and re-engage in farming activities.”
Ari Bukar, an IDP who relocated back to Katarko, said the people of the village who were predominantly farmers were forced to abandon their farms for about three years.
 “We are getting prepared to resume our cherished farming trade this season,” he added.
But, as the displaced persons returned home, they were greeted with the challenge of food shortage owing to the fact that they had not farmed for the past three years.
Modu Wakil, a community leader said the people have been encouraging their families to engage in massive farming activities for economic empowerment and self-reliance. “We are mostly farmers, we abandoned our farms for two years, but we are now prepared to resume farming activities to rebuild our lives.”
Malam Goni Katarko, said that some have already started vegetable farming to fend for their families.
“To address our immediate food needs, the state government provided us with food items through the committee on resettlement of IDPs under the chairmanship of the deputy governor, Engr. Abubakar D. Aliyu. We are appealing to them to continue with the gesture,” he said.
Alhaji Musa Jidawa, Executive Secretary, Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) assured that the state government would assist the returnees with agricultural inputs to boost farming and promote economic growth.
“We are giving the IDPs priority attention in distribution of farm inputs this cropping season and, to seek for ready markets that will make farming profitable to the communities,” he said.
He said that the state government’s committee through the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) has distributed 600 bags of rice, 300 bags of millet, 300 bags of beans, 400 cartons of Indomie noodles, 100 cartons of vegetable oil, 100 cartons of toilet soap, 600 pieces of nylon mats and 200 pieces of blankets to address the immediate needs of the returning IDPs in Katarko and Gujba.
Hassan Babagana, another returnee, said the provision of food items and rehabilitation of boreholes by the state government had cushioned hardship of the returnees, attracting more people from the IDPs camp in Damaturu. “We now want government to rebuild our hospitals and schools,” he also said.
An official in the state Ministry of Agriculture said the ministry was making special arrangement for distribution of fertilizer; improved seeds, herbicides and storage facilities for the returnees.