The President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr. Farouk Mudi, has urged farmers and commodity associations to align efforts in formulating practical policies to reposition the agricultural sector.
Mudi made the call while delivering his opening remarks at the AFAN National Expanded Executive Council Meeting on Tuesday in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria.
He said unity and proper collaboration among stakeholders were crucial to repositioning the sector for sustainable growth, especially following AFAN’s recent victory at the Court of Appeal.
“Only unity and proper synergy with all commodity associations can reset the agenda for a fresh start. It is time to do away with old policies that have failed and embrace new ones that work,” he said.
Mudi expressed concern over the lack of cohesion among commodity groups, warning that it had caused setbacks in the sector, including the inaccessibility of loans for farmers.
“The current hardship, including the high cost of food items, is partly due to disunity. Nigeria has the potential to feed itself and export surplus to earn foreign exchange and grow the economy.
“But because of internal divisions, farmers are not accessing support at both national and international levels,” he said.
He therefore urged all agricultural actors, especially commodity associations and community-based organisations (CBOs), to come together with one voice and work in harmony.
“No one will do it for us; we must take the steering of agriculture into our own hands. Our destiny is in our own hands,” he added.
Also speaking, Mr. John Olateru, AFAN National Deputy President I, outlined the meeting as a turning point for the association and the sector.
“This marks the beginning of a new era. We are returning to the original vision of AFAN, to bring all agricultural stakeholders under one umbrella, which is the global standard,” he said.
Olateru added that the steps taken at the meeting were in the right direction and essential to achieving the association’s goals.
Earlier, Dr. Somadina Johnson-Anene, Chairman of the Abuja Trade Centre, Abuja Chamber of Commerce and Industry, emphasised the importance of food security.
“No matter how powerful a person is, they cannot do without food. This meeting is very important, and I encourage every farmer to key into AFAN’s new direction. It will be of great benefit to all,” he said.