About 5000 hectares of rice plantation estimated at N11.5billion ravaged in the flooding that submerged farmlands in some communities in Moro, Edu and Patigi Local Government Areas of Kwara State.
This was revealed when a member representing Edu/Moro/Patigi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Dr Ahmed Adamu Saba, visited the scenes of the disaster in Shonga
Some of the communities where flood affected rice plantation include Fonga and Jebba in Moro; Lade, Patigi and Kpada Districts in Patigi and Shonga, Bacita and Lafiagi in Edu local government areas of the state.
Over 5000 rice farmers were reportedly affected in the incident arising from the alleged opening of dams in Jebba and Kanji, Niger State.
Dr Adamu-Saba during his tour of the farmlands, regretted the degree of the destruction and described it as a threat to food security.
He noted that the victims, who engaged in dry season farming were taken aback that their farmlands could be flooded when it was not rainy season that usually comes with heavy waterfall.
The legislator identified the rice produced in Moro, Edu and Patigi as one of the best in the country.
According to him, many Nigerians are being fed from the ravaged rice plantation.
He, however, expressed his readiness to raise the matter on the floor of the House of Representatives as soon as it reconvenes from the recess and called on the federal government agencies to probe the flood disaster.
Dr Adamu-Saba distributed 150 bags of NPK fertilizer, 50 knapsack sprayers, 50 bags of rice seeds, 170 litres of pesticide and chemical and 10 pieces of solar water pumping machines to the victims to mitigate the effects of the loss incurred.
Also speaking, a member of the state House of Assembly for Edu Constituency, Mr. Gideon Saba Yisa, said the affected farmers were caught unawares.
Mr Yisa urged the federal government to assist them to cushion their troubled moment.
