Talata Mafara, Zamfara State: More than 1,500 farmers under the Bakalori Irrigation Scheme in Talata Mafara, Bakura and Maradun Local Government Areas of Zamfara State have appealed for urgent government intervention following a massive bird invasion that has destroyed crops on over 250 hectares of farmland.
Chairman of the Bakalori Water Users Association, Malam Yakubu Yahaya, described the situation as devastating, saying millions of birds have continued to ravage farms despite efforts by farmers to drive them away.
“We have tried every available method to control the birds, but they keep destroying our crops. As I speak, farm produce on more than 250 hectares has been devastated,” Yahaya told journalists on Thursday.
He warned that the destruction poses a serious threat to food production and could have far-reaching economic consequences if immediate action is not taken.
“An emergency response is needed from governments at all levels to save the remaining farmlands. If the situation persists, it will be a major setback to both the state and the national economy,” he said.
The Acting Director of Bird Control at the Zamfara State Ministry of Agriculture, Alhaji Mahe Bala, confirmed the invasion, saying the government had received reports from affected communities.
He added that the matter had been forwarded to the Federal Ministry of Agriculture for urgent intervention while efforts were underway to contain the infestation.
