Wednesday, January 15, 2025 - A farmer in Orin Ekiti, Ekiti State, Mr. Olusegun Ajayi, has appealed for urgent assistance after losing his entire maize harvest to a devastating fire.
The tragic incident, which destroyed about six tons of maize, has left
Mr. Ajayi and his family in dire need of help.
Ajayi, a computer science graduate who turned to farming as his main
source of livelihood, said the fire gutted his crib, where the maize was
stored.
He explained that the loss of his harvest had completely wiped out his
annual investment, leaving him without any means to support his family.
“I rely solely on the proceeds from my farm to survive,” Ajayi said,
visibly shaken.
“Everything I worked for this year is gone. My family and I have nothing
left, and I don’t know where to turn,” he lamented
The fire, which also affected parts of the farmland at Ugbo Omi near
Ayede and Ipere, was said to have spread rapidly despite Ajayi’s efforts to
maintain safety around the crib.
While the exact cause of the fire remains unclear, he attributed the
incident to the dry season conditions that heighten the risk of such
occurrences.
Residents of the Orin Ekiti community have expressed their sympathies
for the farmer, describing him as hardworking and dedicated.
Some have called on the government and other concerned individuals to
step in and assist Ajayi in rebuilding his livelihood.
“This is a serious setback not just for him but for the local
agricultural community,” a sympathizer said.
“He has always been committed to his work, and this kind of disaster
could happen to any farmer,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food
Security has warned against indiscriminate bush burning, which is often a cause
of farm fires during the dry season.
He urged farmers and residents to take precautions to avoid such
disasters, emphasizing the environmental and economic risks posed by such
incidents.
Ajayi’s plight highlights the challenges faced by rural farmers, many of
whom operate without access to adequate safety nets.
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