The Association Of Government Farm Settlers, in Ipapo-Iseyin, Oke-Ogun area of Oyo State has alerted Nigerian to impending maize scarcity in 2021.
Speaking after an emergency meeting held during the weekend at the Ipapo-Iseyin branch of the association, the farmers lamented the plight of their members who they said have lost millions of naira to the drought that affected maize farming in the outgoing year.
The farmers claimed many of them had decided against planting maize this year due to unstable rainfall but later went into planting immediately the federal and Oyo State government started a flood forecast campaign, which they thought would come to pass.
In a statement signed by their Chairman, Mr Alabi Kazeem and dated Saturday 26th December, 2020, which was made available to newsmen, the body claimed its members immediately went to access loans from commercial banks and from private individuals when they heard about the heavy rain forecast, which they believed would assist in late maize planting.
Lamenting the failed flood forecast and lack of government input, which they claimed might cause maize scarcity in 2021, the association called on President Muhammadu Buhari to evolve new measures to assist farmers determine weather forecast and also provide basic supports to genuine farmers.
“Many of our members that have decided against planting maize this year because of the poor and unstable rainfall heard of the forecast from the federal government through the meteorology department as well as the rigorous campaign from Oyo State Ministry of Environment and Water Resources that there would be lot of rain towards the end of October and November and sought for fund to plant maize.
“It is very unfortunate that the failed forecast led to a staggering loss to our members, they lost millions in bank loans and borrowing from family and friends to plant maize, many cannot even pass by their farms to see the withered maize farms, we are so hurt by this occurrence.
“In as much as we are not blaming the federal and State government for issuing flood alerts to safeguard lives and properties, including those of farmers, we are using this opportunity to appeal to them to come to our aid, our members are running from pillars to post to repay loans they took from banks and from individuals.”