By: Problyn J Alpha
Joseph Yankay Kargbo an indegene of Batkanu the chiefdom headquarter town of Lebesegahun chiefdom in karene District residing in the United States of America has promised to return home to address the ongoing issue of cattle owners whose animals have been destroying rice farms and causing undue hardship in the region. In a telephone interview, Joseph Yankay Kargbo shared his determination to organise a significant gathering with the chiefdom authorities at Batkanu ,and the purpose of the would be gathering is to combat the destruction of rice farms by cattle in the chiefdom. The destruction of crops by cattle over the years has not only increased poverty in the chiefdom but has also forced many farmers to seeking better farming condition in other chiefdoms.
Mr Kargbo further maintained that many efforts have been made to address the said issue with the paramount chief of the above named chiefdom PC Bai Yankay Kargbo but to no avail, adding the paramount chief has failed to implement effective measures to prevent the destructive activities by the cattle and this according to him has left many farmers frustrated.
“This action has been viewed as a violation of their fundamental human rights and l have pledged to fight for the rights of the farmers in the chiefdom,” Joseph Yankay Kargbo stated.
Emphasizing the importance of agriculture in the region mr Kargbo noted that he and many others have made substantial investment in agriculture to improve on the financial and economic well-being of their people but the continuous destruction of the rice farms by cattle has put these efforts aback.
He however called on the ministry of agriculture, council of paramount chiefs, Sierra Leone farmers Association and the civil society organisations to promptly intervene and find a permanent solution to the said problem.