Farmers in Adamawa State are grappling with a surge in crop theft, as thieves increasingly target their fields amidst the current food inflation crisis. Both full-time and part-time farmers are reporting significant losses as thieves harvest crops from their farms.
Mrs. Margret Hosea, a private school teacher who turned to farming to supplement her income, expressed her distress over the theft. “I went to my maize farm for inspection to see how soon I should start harvesting, only to find that people had already done the harvest for themselves,” she lamented. Mrs. Hosea, who farms along the Yola-Fufore road in Yola South Local Government Area, added, “They removed everything! And I spent so much money and time to bring that farm to harvest stage.”
Bashir Abdul, another farmer from Jabi Lamba in Girei LGA, confirmed the prevalence of farm thefts. “They haven’t raided any of my farms on a large scale, but I have on many occasions noticed piecemeal incursions by people who picked off items that they could quickly get at,” he said.
Danjuma Gurin, who farms in Fufore LGA, acknowledged the threat but noted that his farms, located near populated areas, have been spared. “I think my farms are too close to people in occupied neighborhoods for thieves to have the courage to steal from me,” he explained.
In some parts of the state, the situation is even more dire, with thieves stealing crops before they mature. A source from Wauru Jabbe, a community on the outskirts of Yola North near the Yola South LGA border, revealed that farmers are now forced to spend nights in their fields to protect their crops.
The rise in crop theft has compounded the challenges faced by farmers in Adamawa State, who are already struggling with the effects of food inflation. As the problem escalates, farmers are calling for increased security measures to protect their livelihoods.
