Fear Grips Kebbi Rice Farmers Over Quelea Birds Invasion
Farmers in Kebbi are in a state of nervousness over fear of quelea birds invading and attacking their rice farms. The farmers apprehension was heightened when handful of the pest were spotted flying around their dry season farms .
Speaking to our reporter in his rice farm yesterday at Dukku / Makera fadama area in Birnin Kebbi local government , Muhammadu Nafiu a rice farmer who cultivates between 5 to 6 hectares of rice per year expressed apprehension that he may not achieve the same feat this year if urgent measures are not taken against the birds.
“” There is possibility of the quelea birds attacking our crops , we have started seeing a couple of them around our farms although not in large numbers. The birds have even now started disturbing the germinating rice ”.
He warned that if action is not taken to combat the quelea birds , the problem will hamper the anticipated bumper harvest this year.
Another farmer in Suru local government area of the state, Malan Musa said he cultivates 2 hectares of rice annually. He also expressed fear of the invading birds eating up his rice farms.
” Yes we have started taking local measures using drums to scare the birds away from 6 am to 7 pm daily which is very difficult . We are seeking assistance from government for aerial spray of chemicals please ”.
When contacted on the matter, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Lawal Muhammad said that the ministry has started receiving complaints from farmers especially in Bakuwai and that officials of the Ministry have been sent to survey the areas for possible assistance from the government.
It will be recalled that the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh, has launched the National Control on Trans-boundary Pests in 17 front line States in Kebbi last year.The front line states are: Adamawa, Borno, Jigawa, Zamfara, Yobe, Kano, Kaduna, Kogi, Kebbi, Plateau, Bauchi, Sokoto, Enugu, Delta, Anambra, Rivers and Bayelsa States.
