The farming season is here, many Akwa Ibom people are returning to their farms to cultivate. However, we have observed the ugly development in Akwa Ibom State where herders operating in the state revel in destroying the livelihood of farmers in the state.
It is a matter of serious concern that our peasant farmers and few commercial farmers in the state are facing attack on their lives in an attempt to resist herders from intruding into their farms and destroying their crops. In the past farming seasons, instances abound where farmers lost their lives with their farms destroyed due to farmers- herders clash.
It is very painful for a farmer to wake and discover that his crops of many months of sweat and toil have been destroyed. Just as people rear animals to make profit, the farmer also aims for profit, as such no one should destroy another person’s source of livelihood.
In a bid to curb this ugly development, former Governor Udom Emmanuel in 2021 signed the Prohibition of Open Rearing and Grazing of Livestock and Establishment of Ranches Law in Akwa Ibom State. The law prohibits moving livestock on foot in the state and mandates ranching, aiming to protect farmers from crop destruction, reduce farmer-herder clashes, and promote modern animal husbandry.
However, we must state here sincerely that the law has not been enforced in the state since it was established. Perhaps, the reason being that these cattles are owned by influential indigenes of Akwa Ibom State, especially from the political class, ranging from council chairmen to commissioners, senators, and members of the House of Representatives.
We call on Akwa Ibom State government to enforce the anti-open grazing law and take other proactive measures to further prevent herders from damaging farms in the state. As the law stipulates, anyone whose livestock strays into another person’s farm or property, no matter how highly placed, should be made to face the full weight of this law.
We wish to state here that strict enforcement of this law is the surest way of encouraging farming in the state and strengthening agricultural revolution as one of the pillars of the Arise Agenda of the current administration.
