Hardship: Return to farming, invest in agriculture – IPOB tells Igbos

The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has urged the people of the Southeast to return to farming and invest in agriculture.

IPOB said Igbos would avert food shortage and starvation in the Southeast and Nigeria by engaging in farming and agriculture.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Emma Powerful, IPOB urged all Igbo philanthropists to support farmers in their communities by purchasing seedlings and other farming implements for them instead of giving them temporary food items.

“The global family and movement of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great confident and indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu Kanu calls on Biafrans to invest heavily in agriculture this planting season. It is time for us to create food sufficiency in Biafra Land because we have the means and the fertile lands to make it happen.

“IPOB calls on every Biafran to start farming on all agricultural products, particularly cash crops, to avert the impending famine in Nigeria. There is famine looming in Nigeria, and Biafrans must be prepared to avert the impending danger of starvation.

“Farmers should be encouraged and supported to go into farming instead of sharing consumable foods with our people. Investors should start Agricultural Cottage Industries to process and preserve agricultural products for export. Biafrans have fertile and able lands for good yield.

“Other than cash crop production, our people can also invest in animal husbandry. Moreso, Biafrans should invest in agricultural research centers for quality research and development focused on growing our native food products efficiently. Ndigbo, it’s time to learn how to fish instead of just buying fish to eat.

“IPOB equally calls on patriotic Biafrans to sensitize our people on the importance of farming. Our people should understand that farming is very important. We should not believe in buying everything we eat from the market.

“As Biafrans, we must make food sufficiency a priority. We must not allow our enemies to have full control of our food supply and supply chain. Any nation that is incapable of feeding themselves will always be left in a vulnerable situation. Our people must be involved in the production of all cash crops, vegetables, and livestock that we utilize daily,” parts of the statement said.

IPOB assured that Eastern Security Networks, ESN, is providing adequate security across the forests in the Southeast.

The statement added: “On the part of IPOB, we will provide high-quality seedlings to some selected farmers to plant this planting season.

“Most importantly, IPOB/ESN has made appreciable gains in securing our forests, bushes, and farmlands against the marauding Fulani herdsmen jihadists to create a conducive environment to allow our farmers to return to their farms.

“ESN Operatives are combat ready to ensure that marauding Fulani herdsmen Jihadists will not destroy our farmlands. The agenda of Fulani is to make Biafrans food dependent on their products from Northern Nigeria, but IPOB has destroyed their evil agenda. IPOB and ESN loyalty lies with Biafrans.

“Therefore, Biafrans should invest heavily in agriculture to provide food for consumption at home and also for exportation.”