Tag: Farmers

Katsina: Fear grips farmers, as notorious bandits leader enforce ‘peace tax’

Aminu Imam
Katsina bandits enforce ‘peace tax’

Residents of Doma village in Faskari local government area of Katsina State have reportedly begun paying a controversial ‘peace tax’ to a notorious bandit leader, Isiyaku Kwasha Garwa, in a desperate attempt to avoid further attacks after a deadly confrontation earlier this year claimed 21 lives. Sources based on the community told newsmen that the payment arrangement was reluctantly accepted by villagers following months of violent raids and threats by armed groups operating in the area. Under the deal, residents are required to make periodic payments to Garwa and his…

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‘FG initiates collateral-free loan for farmers’ – NOA 

Aminu Imam
NOA on farmers loan

The Federal Government has introduced a new collateral-free loan scheme aimed at supporting smallholder farmers across the country. The initiative was announced via the official website of the National Orientation Agency (NOA). According to official sources, the initiative is designed to provide easier access to funding for farmers who often struggle to obtain credit from traditional financial institutions, thereby improving agricultural productivity, strengthening national food security, and increasing the income of rural farmers. Through the scheme, eligible farmers will be able to access funds without providing physical collateral, a major…

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Niger: 6 farmers killed, as bandits invade farmlands 

Aminu Imam
Bandits impose farming tax2

No fewer than six farmers were reportedly killed Friday night in a fresh attack by suspected bandits in Unguwar Wawa community, located in Borgu LGA of Niger State. This was disclosed in a post on X yesterday by Bakatsine, a conflict and crisis journalist who reports on insecurity in the North-West region. According to the report, the assailants stormed the community at approximately 10:00 p.m. opening fire on farmers who were working on their farmlands. Following the attack, the bandits fled the scene, leaving residents in a state of fear…

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FG to disburse interest-free loans to small businesses, farmers nationwide

Aminu Imam
FG to disburse

The Federal Government will soon commence disbursement of interest-free loans to smallholder farmers and businesses across the country before the end of 2025. The National Programme Manager of the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme, (GEEP), Hamza Ibrahim Baba, made this known on Friday in Kaduna during an engagement with representatives of the traders’ associations and other stakeholders in the state’s informal business sector. He said the loans, up to N100,000 per beneficiary, were part of the FarmerMoni scheme under GEEP, aimed at supporting small-scale farmers involved in poultry, aquaculture, livestock…

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Zamfara: Notorious bandit leader, Turji demands ₦50m ‘farming tax’ from communities

Aminu Imam
Bandit leader, Turji demands

…Threatens bloodshed Fear has gripped communities in Zamfara State, as reports emerge that notorious bandit leader, Bello Turji, has demanded a whopping ₦50 million from residents of Tsalaken Gulbi, stretching from Fakai village, in Shinkafi local government area all the way to Qaya, near the Niger Republic border – just for the “privilege” to farm during this year’s rainy season. According to local sources, Turji’s men allegedly delivered the ultimatum directly to farmers, warning them that unless the money is paid in full, no one will be allowed to step…

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Niger govt. warns farmers of bomb threats

Aminu Imam
Niger govt. warns farmers

Niger State government issued a warning yesterday to residents of certain communities in the state, urging them to avoid going to their farms, in order to prevent falling victim to Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) planted by bandits. Recall that in August, bandits killed 13 farmers in the Alawa community, of the Shiroro local government area of the State. The bandits were said to have tracked the farmers to their farms, killing them because they had provided intelligence on bandits’ movements to security agencies. The State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Bello…

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Borno: Zulum subsidises petrol to ₦600 per litre for farmers

Aminu Imam
Zulum subsidises

Borno State governor, Babagana Zulum, has stated that the State government will provide financial support to farmers in areas impacted by the Boko Haram insurgency by subsidising the price of petrol to ₦600 per litre. The Governor, on Friday, unveiled a subsidy for farmers displaced by Boko Haram during a distribution of agricultural supplies to over 5,000 farmers in Bama town. This announcement was made the following day by the Governor’s Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Abdulrahman Bundi, who said a litre of petrol sold between N1,000 and N1,200…

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‘How farmers sold 100 solar pumps worth N400m’ Niger Foods

Aminu Imam
Niger farmers

A food and beverages company, the Niger Foods Security Systems and Logistics Ltd., has revealed how some farmers in Niger state had sold over 100 solar pumps worth N400 million during the last dry season farming. Its Executive Director, Patience Koku disclosed this when speaking with stakeholders during the townhall meeting on preparation of the 2024/2025 dry season farming across the state, which was held at Gawu Babangida in Gurara local government area of the State. According to her, Niger Foods had installed the solar pumps in the various farms…

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Niger: “Terrorists enslaving us for farming” – Shiroro residents cry out

Aminu Imam
Shiroro residents

Youth leaders call for military intervention Residents of Shiroro local government area (LGA) in Niger State have raised the alarm over terrorists and bandits enslaving locals to work on their farms. According to reports, a terrorist leader collected over 20 bags of soybeans from farms in Allawa and neighbouring communities this year, marking a disturbing trend of exploitation in the region. At an emergency media conference held in Minna, the Niger State capital, Secretary of the Coalition of Shiroro Associations, Sa’idu Salihu, appealed for the urgent return of military forces…

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Human/Food Security: South-West farmers, Miyetti-Allah sign MOU on peaceful co-existence

Aminu Imam
Miyetti Allah & S'West

In a bid to achieve food sustainability and production in Nigeria, the Miyetti-Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria and the Southwest Farmers have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote peaceful co-existence between both parties in the zone. The Southwest Famers, under the aegis of Southwest Commodity Farmers Organisation and the National Chairman of the cattle breeders, signed the peace accord during a day summit held in Ibadan, Oyo State. Addressing newsmen shortly after signing the peace accord, the coordinator of the Southwest Commodities Farmers Organisation Olusegun Dasaolu said…

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