* It's not true - Miyetti Allah

Nigerian Cassava Growers' Association (NCGA), Kwara State chapter, has called on the state and federal governments to address the challenge posed by cattle breeders.

Chairman of the association, Engr. Gabriel Fasanu, said that many farmers have recorded losses as a result of the destruction of their farms by cattle.

Speaking at the distribution of fertiliser to cassava growers in the state, the chairman said: "We have been battling with this menace for a very long time. The state government has not been able to address the issue and it is a very serious concern to the farmers, making most of us incur debts. That is also why the banks are a little bit unwilling to give loan to farmers.

"Many of our people here are taking loans from the banks. After putting in all your efforts and you have a good yield, hoping that all things will be well with you to repay your loan, then suddenly, you wake up one day to find out the whole farm has been destroyed by cows."

He urged the youths to embrace farming instead of roaming the streets in search of job, saying: "I urge them and the cassava farmers in Nigeria to come and register with us. Packages have been made available to various stakeholders in the high quality cassava flour programme, it is only left for them to come forward and join us."

Reacting to the allegation, Chairman of Miyyeti Allah Cattle Breeders' Association in the state, Alhaji Usman Adamu, said it was not true that breeders have impeded the farmers' business, adding: "If it is true, let them take you to the place where their cassava has been destroyed. It is a lie. They are only castigating cattle breeders. There is nothing like that. They just want to blame the cattle breeders for what they don’t know about."

Adamu said that the cattle breeders have been contributing positively to the economy of the nation and carried out their businesses legitimately without hindering other people, stressing that the allegation was an attempt to blackmail the breeders.