A non-governmental organisation, Raysida International Initiative (RII) has appealed for the enactment of a law to create National Agro-militia and Farm Foot Soldiers that will protect farming, farmers and their harvests.

The President/Commander of the group, Prof. Ozonwa Kamalu Ejiogu said in its bid to effect hitch-free farming and protect farmers and their harvest, RII formed a cooperative union called ‘Raysida 4H Hunters And Food Soldiers Vigilante YFG Cooperative Union Ltd,’ registered in Abia State, under the Nigerian Co-operatives Societies Act 2004.

He disclosed this in Umuahia, during a ceremony to mark the inauguration and deployment of the trained young farmers and guards for Seasons Farms Ltd. under the Central Bank Rice Anchor Borrowers Programme.

Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike (MOUAU), Prof. Francis Otunta represented by the university’s Director of Extension Center, Prof. Ike Nwachukwu described the Raysida’s initiative as apt, saying for farming and agricultural activities to prosper, both farms, farmers and their harvests have to be protected.

Commander of the Army base, Umudike, represented by Lt. S.S Isah promised to render necessary support and cooperation to the Raysida outfit.

Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Umuahia Branch Controller, Mr. Ogbu Onyeka Michael commended the vision of Raysida towards putting food on the tables of Nigerians and protecting farmlands and farmers in the field.

Also, representative of the Executive Chairman of the state Secondary Education Management Board, Mr. Adol Chuta lamented that farms are now prone to attacks and illegal harvesting of crops, while young people are not being motivated into farming, as the few available farmers are ageing.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN