A devastating fire has destroyed six tons of maize belonging to a farmer, Mr. Olusegun Ajayi, in Orin Ekiti, Ekiti State, leaving him and his family in desperate need of assistance. Ajayi, a computer science graduate who turned to farming for his livelihood, said the fire consumed his entire harvest stored in a crib, wiping out his annual investment.
Visibly distraught, Ajayi lamented the loss: “Everything I worked for this year is gone. My family and I have nothing left, and I don’t know where to turn.” The incident, which also affected parts of his farmland near Ayede and Ipere, has drawn widespread sympathy from the Orin Ekiti community.
Residents describe Ajayi as a hardworking and dedicated farmer, urging the government and concerned individuals to step in and support him. “This is a serious setback not just for him but for the entire local agricultural community,” said a community member.
While the exact cause of the fire remains uncertain, Ajayi attributed the incident to the dry season, which increases the risk of such disasters. The Ekiti State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security has warned against indiscriminate bush burning, emphasizing the environmental and economic dangers of such practices.
Ajayi’s story underscores the precarious nature of farming in rural areas, where safety nets are often unavailable. His plea for assistance is a call to action for both the government and private entities to support farmers facing similar crises.
