David Kassa, the Taraba Commissioner for Agriculture, has announced the enlistment of the services of Agro Rangers from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) to safeguard farms at harvest.

Mr Kassa, who disclosed this at a media briefing in Jalingo, on Wednesday, noted that the move was to create safety for farmers during the 2021 harvest season.

According to him, the season witnessed improvements in crop production due to the government’s introduction of improved variety of seedlings and better farming methods introduced by FADAMA 111 and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), especially for rice and cassava farmers.

“Gov Darius Ishaku has directed us to immediately enlist the services of Agro rangers to safeguard farms for harvest. As I speak with you, the rangers are there in Gassol and other farming communities where farmers have a sense of insecurity,” Mr Kassa said.

He expressed hope that the dry season rice farming and next year’s cropping season would be better with the support the state government received from the North East Development Commission.

He said the commission donated mini tractors, planters, harvesters, inputs and seedlings to Taraba farmers, while the state government was supporting tea and cocoa farmers, to boost the productivity of the crops in the state.

(NAN)