Farmers Lament as Politicians Hijack Subsidize Farm Inputs
Over ten thousand farmers operating under various cooperatives in Benue state are calling on Governor Hyacinth Alia, to investigate the activities of officials of the State Bureau of Agricultural Development and mechanization (Bnarda) over allegation of diversion and selling subsidize farm inputs to outsiders instead of farmers.
The Chairman Association of United Farmers Benue – Valley, Mr Denen UTSA, says the activities has become worrisome as politicians have hijacked the process in connivance with some staff of BNARDA to sell the subsidize farm inputs such fertilizers, chemicals recently flagged off by the Governor to boost farm produce.
Mr Utsa, who spoke to journalists at the NUJ council secretariat in Makurdi, described the situation as pathetic saying farm yields may be difficult this seasons if they continue to deny them subsidize farm inputs as 80 % of the farmers are IDPs suffering to get farm inputs for their farms, alleging that some staffs engage in the sale of the subsidize farm inputs at the agency gate yet the managers are doing nothing about it, a situation he called on the governor investigate and bring to book those behind.
