(3 minutes read)
- Farmers in Paoua, a non – descript village lying in the Central African Republic’s northwest known for peanut farming are undergoing harrowing experience
- Of late, production of the crop has been affected by the presence of armed groups who have created scare among the farmers
- Peanuts nuts cultivation, which is mostly done by the women of the family is the main source of their livelihood
Farmers in Paoua, a non – descript village lying in the Central African Republic’s northwest known for peanut farming are undergoing harrowing experience. Of late, production of the crop has been affected by the presence of armed groups who have created scare among the farmers. Peanuts nuts cultivation, which is mostly done by the women of the family is the main source of their livelihood.
There have been too many threats and thefts from the armed forces. The farmers had to sell the crop very quickly and at low prices since the armed forces reach the peanut farms at the harvesting time . Regular threats by the armed groups including the 3Rs (Return, Reclaim, Rehabilitate), one of the most powerful militant groups- have prevented women from venturing out. The intruders have taken advantage of the security crisis in the countryside to harass farmers, and take control of the peanut trade.
Women, who normally tend the farms, were harassed by the armed bandits and when they venture out. Many armed groups have found safe havens in the rural areas of the vast country with the central government struggling to govern beyond the capital Bangui.
