Nigeria: How the Plateau crisis may affect dry season potato supply

Irish potato farmers in Plateau State have expressed worry over their inability to advance dry season farming following the incessant violent crises that have led to loss of lives and destruction of property in many communities. Plateau State is known to be the highest producer of Irish potatoes in the country over the years as the land is fertile for growing the crop. Farmers have been making considerable earnings by cultivating the crop, and this has boosted their economic wellbeing, as well as that of the state and the country in general. In May last year, killings occurred in Mangu communities and over 125 people lost their lives. Many people were displaced, of which most are farmers, and till date, they are living in an internally displaced persons camp. Since then, attacks have been occurring intermittently in several communities in the state until the latest one that happened on Christmas eve in over 20 communities of Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas. ...