Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbeh, has warned
of an imminent food crisis following the possible
invasion of quelea birds, locusts and
grasshoppers from neighboring Niger Republic
into the country.
Ogbeh gave the warning during an emergency
meeting with state commissioners of Agriculture
in 12 states in Abuja.
According to the Minister, the invasion of army
worm from neighboring countries into some
farmlands in Nigeria have resulted in large scale
losses of grains, a situation that has led to the
increase in the price of maize to N15,000 a bag.
Commissioners of Agriculture in Kebbi, Zamfara,
Sokoto and Jigawa states who spoke at the
meeting, confirmed the presence of quelea birds
in about six -seven local governments areas in
their states.
Ogbeh said Nigeria is already facing
maize crisis, adding that if the birds are added to
the crisis, the country would be in turmoil.
“There is warning that we have received
that locusts and quelea birds are massing
up in Niger Republic from where they
normally attack us in Nigeria. We know
how dangerous quelea birds can be and
locusts. If they arrive within hours and
days, they would have wiped out
everything the farmers would have put in
the field. We already have maize crisis.
We may have food problems if we are
attacked. This country would be in
turmoil. We can’t afford that. The army
worm is another problem. We already have
severe shortages of maize. You know the
price rose to N15,000 as a result of that.
Most of the poultry farms are in trouble
and many families are hungry. We have
got to start working together like this to
deal with these things as soon as there is
any sign of them. We must have an
emergency team between you and
ourselves to tackle these issues very
swiftly. Now we know they will come. We
have to design a strategy where chemicals
are available in all the states and
contingency steps can be taken
quickly.”he said
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