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Farmers in Agogo area to quit agriculture due to Fulani incursion

Maize Farmers File Photo

Thu, 11 Feb 2016 Source: tv3network.com

Hundreds of farmers in the Asante Akyem North District of the Ashanti Region say they have lost interest in agriculture due to the wanton destruction of their farm lands by nomadic herdsmen.

Large tracts of farm plantations have in recent years been destroyed by herdsmen who have invaded Agogo and the surrounding areas Afram plains with their cattle to graze on the green pasture.

The current situation, the farmers say, portends food security as most farmers are losing interest in farming considering the loss they are incurring as well as the threats on their lives by these Fulani herdsmen.

About 80 per cent of residents in the Asante Akyem north District are farmers, and according to them their major challenge is enduring the activities of the nomadic herdsmen in the area; a situation that has lingered for more than two decades.

Amoako Mensah told TV3 that the activities of these herdsmen have over the years frustrated farmers in the area, saying "The activities of the Fulani herdsmen are very disturbing. Their cattle destroy our crops, they also burn our farms and sprinkle salt on the grass for their cattle. This goes a long way to make our land barren".

The 2015 Ashanti Regional Best Farmer, Nana Edward Asadu Kukurubuor said his 250-acre plantain farm was recently burnt by the herdsmen.

"Our main occupation is farming, yet 90 per cent of our farms have been burnt by the herdsmen. They also cut our plantain for their cattle," he told TV3

The chief of Kowereso, Nana Adum Atia says he and other farmers in the area have abandoned their farms for fear of being attacked by the Fulani herdsmen.

Currently, the farmers say they are counting their hope on the renewed drive by the security services to protect life and property in the area.

Source: tv3network.com