TWO farmers in Anambra West local government area of Anambra State
have committed suicide following complete destruction of their crops as a
result of sudden surge of the River Niger and its tributaries into
farmlands in the area.
The two men, one from Orom Etiti and the other from Mmiata Anam in the local government, were among hundreds of farmers in the area whose farmlands and houses worth millions of naira have been washed away by the flood in the past few days.
It was gathered that the farmers borrowed large sums of money from the banks for their farming activities and the loans were due for repayment at the end of harvesting of crops by October this year, which was why they could not bear the incident.
Two other farmers affected by the flood, Messrs Obiora Udemze and Akunwanne Okechukwu said the unexpected overflow of the River Niger, which came this year earlier than the normal period of October –November, took the farmers unawares. Crops destroyed include yams, cassava, maize, potatoes and vegetables and Saturday Vanguard was informed that though flood disaster is an annual feature in the area, it had never happened at this time of the year.
The member representing the area in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Mr. Victor Okoye has already visited the affected communities during which he called on both the state and federal governments to come to the aide of the people.
Okoye explained yesterday that some of the yams destroyed were the seedlings he donated to the farmers in February this year, adding that the flood disaster might lead to famine next year since the area is the food basket of the state.
The lawmaker had already tabled the matter before the House of Assembly under matters of urgent public importance during which other lawmakers sympathized with the affected people and called for urgent assistance from the state and federal governments.
Source
