The Federal Government on Monday warned that the nation is on the verge of a food crisis if Quelea birds, locusts and grasshoppers gathering in Niger Republic are allowed entry into the country.
The warning was given by Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh during an emergency meeting he held with 12 state commissioners of Agriculture in Abuja on Monday.
The Commissioners of Agriculture in Kebbi, Zamfara, Sokoto and Jigawa states have confirmed the presence of the birds in about six to seven local governments areas in the states.
He said that the birds can cause serious damage within days of their arrival by wiping out all the crops planted by farmers.
Ogbeh said, “There is warning that we have received that locusts and quelea birds are massing up in Niger Republic from where they normally attack us in Nigeria.
“We know how dangerous quelea birds can be and locusts. If they arrive within hours and days, they would have wiped out everything the farmers would have put in the field.
“We already have maize crisis. We may have food problems if we are attacked. This country would be in turmoil. We can’t afford that.
“The army worm is another problem. We already have severe shortages of maize. You know the price rose to N15,000 as a result of that.
“Most of the poultry farms are in trouble and many families are hungry. We have got to start working together like this to deal with these things as soon as there is any sign of them.
“We must have an emergency team between you and ourselves to tackle these issues very swiftly.
“Now we know they will come. We have to design a strategy where chemicals are available in all the states and contingency steps can be taken quickly.”
Ogbeh added that President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the ministry to find solutions to the problem.
Dolapo is a writer and journalist who works with YNaija. He has interests in Christianity, politics and sports.
Another problem caused by Jonathan and PDP. APC better put on your thinking caps before your four years runs out.