Agriculture: NGO demands end to rural banditry

Agriculture: NGO demands end to rural banditry
NAN-H-74
Banditry
By Mohammed Lawal
Zaria (Kaduna State), Sept. 14, 2017 (NAN) Prof. Abubakar Sadiq, Director, Centre for Democratic Development and Training (CEDDERT), on Thursday urged Federal and State Governments to introduce undiluted approach to end rural banditry to safe Nigeria’s agricultural production.
He made the call at the opening of a seminar series entitled: “Economic Impact of Rural Banditry” held at Kongo Conference Hotel, Zaria, Kaduna State.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the seminar was organised by CEDDERT with a view to reawakening stakeholders and proffering solution to the menace.
Sadiq said the call became imperative in view of the importance of peace not only to agricultural production but also to national growth and development.
The director recalled that CEDDERT was incorporated by a group of intellectuals under the leadership of late Dr Yusuf Bala-Usman in March 1992.
According to him, CEDDERT is seeking to promote and advance scientific research and training for providing solutions to problems of democratic community and national development.
Sadiq identified Kaduna, Katsina and Zamafara as the worst hit states that required urgent intervention of government at all levels.
He lamented that there was virtually no presence of security in most of the areas affected by cattle rustling, armed robbery, theft and kidnapping.
Sen. Sa’idu Dansadau said the situation was highly pathetic in the last few years, advocating that genuine dialogue with the suspected criminals would pave way for lasting peace.
He expressed concern that at present, the rate of theft in Dansadau area of Zamfara had risen which he attributed to moral decadence amongst the youth.
While calling on parents to brace up to the responsibility of proper upbringing of their children, the former lawmaker advised government to create job opportunities through skills acquisition programmes.
NAN also reports that findings on the Economic Impact of Rural Banditry on Dansadau and Birnin Gwari communities of Zamfara and Kaduna states were presented by Prof. Massoud Omar and Prof. Mustapha Gwadabe.
They observed that farming activities have shrunk in Dansadau, saying about 73 per cent of productive capacity of peasants in the study area has been lost, while up to 85 per cent of cattle and 65 per cent of livestock have been rustled.
The dons said a Birnin Gwari study shows that farms cultivated shrunk by 50 per cent and grain output fell by 77.3 per cent during the conflict.
They said there was mass migration of pastoralists fleeing the conflict area thereby leading to disappearance of cattle which in turn aggravates meat shortage in Nigeria.
According to them, economic activities have been grounded not only in the affected areas but also in the neighbouring communities, urban areas and the nation at large.
Participants at the seminar included district heads, community leaders and other stakeholders from the three affected states. (NAN)
KLM/YMU/MST
Edited by Yakubu Uba/Muhammad Suleiman Tola