Inferno destroys cashew farm in URR

Sankanu used part of the farm to grow cashew but also allocated another portion to serve as a mixed farming centre for neighbouring farmers to plant cash and subsistence crops such as groundnut and millet for their respective use.

“I open my farm to women and other groups looking for space to plant cash crops in between the cashews, free of charge. Unfortunately, the fire disaster has caused a huge personal financial loss and is a painful setback to my hereditary agricultural project. I empathize greatly with the women and other beneficiaries who farm here because the fire has stifled their main income generating activity.” Sankanu disclosed while appealing for support to rehabilitate the farm which is a modest contributor to YIRIWAA through national agricultural transformation. “For the sake of women farmers in the neighbouring communities who enjoy unrestricted access to the farm, I am appealing to well-wishers to support the regeneration of the place as the rain season is fast approaching.”

Ebrima Janko, a young farmer from the neighbouring Sotuma Sere village who supervises workers at the Sotuma Samba Koi site, Janko said the fire outbreak happened after hours which delayed response and caused more damage. “The source of the latest fire outbreak is mind-boggling, and we leave it in the hands of Allah who knows best,” Janko reflected.

Considering the huge monetary loss suffered by the proprietor Mr. Sankanu, the farm will need substantial support to restore it to its former glory and ensure it is ready for farming all year round. The following infrastructure has been completely lost or damaged and therefore needs rehabilitation; a borehole with a modern irrigation system, storage room, renovation of the caretakers’ room, reinforcement of the perimeter fence, cashew seedlings, tractors, tricycles and a light truck for delivery and other farming implements to ensure the farm is better positioned for adaptation to the impacts of Climate Change.