By Modupe Gbadeyanka
Over 30 percent of farmland in the Niger Delta region has been lost to this year’s ravaging floods, the immediate past governor of Delta State, Mr Emmanuel Uduaghan, has disclosed, warning that this development poses a great threat to the nation’s food sufficiency drive.
Mr Uduaghan, in a statement to commemorate the 2018 World Food Day, lamented that this year’s flooding had led to premature harvesting and destruction of farmland including fish ponds in the country, particularly in the oil-rich region.
He said the situation would not only result in great losses to farmers but also negatively affect the already improving food self-sufficiency drive of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government.
Mr Uduaghan, therefore, called on the governments, corporate bodies and individuals to render assistance in order to alleviate the plight of farmers caught in the web of the natural disaster.
“Over 30 percent of our farmlands have been overtaken by the floods, including fish ponds.
“As shown on AIT on Monday, some of the farmers have had to hurriedly harvest the immature farm produce, and are selling them at less than 40 per cent of their market value.
“Their future seems to be hopeless. As we mark the day, let us remember the losses and sufferings of these our farmers.
“Whatever we can do individually, as organised groups, or as a government will go a long way in alleviating their plight,” he said.
Dipo Olowookere 
Adedapo Adesanya