Farming has always been important to many of us in Bomu State as a source of livelihood and a way to feed our families. It gave us a sense of pride to own our land, plant rice, harvest every season, sell the rice, support our families and contribute to the state economy hence a great sense of independence. The rise of the insurgency in December 2016 changed all this as it was no longer safe to go out to cultivate our farms without fear of insurgents and cattle herders who were tromping through the countryside trampling and killing farmers at will. My wife pleaded with me over and over not to go but her pleas fell on deaf ears until my neighbouring and fellow farmer was killed because he would not permit the cattle herders to pass through his land and destroy his crops. This changed everything. We lost two planting and harvest seasons and life became absolutely dire as I could not feed my family or pay bills without income. Food and financial insecurity is rife in the state and I am not the only one suffering in this crisis. As of December 2017, 2.6 million people face life-threatening hunger in the northeast and a credible threat of famine persists in areas where humanitarian organizations are unable to deliver assistance. Then help came to us through Tingg and we are now able to receive electronic food vouchers. Through Tingg, our households are assessed to capture the basic information of numbers and provide accurate data so that the right vouchers are given as well as confirm that we actually get the supplies. The food voucher is also a sustainable way that allows farmers like me to understand or find out what else I can do to so sustain my business when the current crisis passes and I can return to my farm. I am grateful for the information I have received and the ability to provide for my family even in these hard time.
Babangida; Farmer in Bomu State
