Stakeholders warn farmers against bush burning

By Omolola Pedro

Stakeholders in Ogun State have issued a note of warning to farmers in the region against the practice of bush burning.

The warning is coming after the recent fire incident that razed farm plantations, which resulted into losses running into millions of naira.

The recent incident destroyed a 10-hectare oil palm plantation around Onipepeye, along the Abeokuta-Siun-Sagamu expressway, Ogun State.

FarmingFarmersFarms gathered that the farm, owned by a former Nigerian Ambassador to Zambia/Malawi, and one-time Commissioner for Women Affairs in Ogun State, Mrs. Folake Marcus-Bello suffered losses running into several millions of naira, as over 500 palm trees, among other farm produce ready for harvest, were destroyed.

The head of farmers in Imeko area, Ogun State, Chief Abdulazeez Abolore, disclosed that quite a number of such incidents were recorded last year, he also warned farmers to desist from unguided bush burning practice.

He said: “We have started the campaign in our area, warning farmers, hunters and youths from engaging in indiscriminate bush burning. Most times, the fire goes out of control, destroying crops and other valuables. We have also tutored farmers to ensure that the borderline of their farms are weeded, so that in the case of any unforeseen fire outbreak, it will be difficult for the farm to catch fire”.