The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Osun Chapter, has lauded the Federal and state governments for their support and assistance in boosting farmers operation and food production in the state.
Alhaji Wahaab Bello, state Chairman, AFAN, Osun gave the commendation in an interview with Newsmen Osogbo on Wednesday.
Bello said that both the federal and the Osun governments had been provided farmers with the needed support including farming implements and other facilities, which had made their operation easier and harvest bountiful.
He said this had encouraged more people, including youths to engage in farming.
”Several youths are now into farming and the agric-value chain because the Osun and federal governments have provided lands/farm settlements for farming and tractors to ease operation.
”In addition, the prices of food items is making farming more lucrative now, as farmers are making good profits from their farm produce after harvest.
”We appreciate the federal and state governments for providing farmers with fertilizer, chemicals, seedlings and other farming implement which have been helpful in our operations,” he said.
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The AFAN chairman also said that the creation and construction of access roads to farms and farm settlements by the Osun Rural Access and Mobility Project (O-RAMP), has given farmers the advantage to sell their produce directly.
He, however, appealed to the government to make funds and grants available and accessible for farmers to enable them to do more and increase their productivity.
”We have written to the federal and state governments to provide loans that farmers can easily access through the Bank of Agriculture,
”We however appreciate the effort of the Osun Government that has made loans available for cooperative societies under the agric-value chain, but the conditions for obtaining these loans should be reviewed.
”Through the Micro-Credit Bank and Osun Agricultural Development Corporation (OSSADEC), farmers and others in the agriculture line are getting loans but the conditions are a bit difficult.
“We are appealing to the government, both federal and state, to provide loans strictly for farmers, where farmers can stand as guarantors for each other,” he said.
Bello noted that for effective release and use of agric grants and funds to farmers, government should deal directly with farmers, appealing to independent farmers to join recognised farmers’ associations to benefit from government supports.
He appreciated the Osun government for providing farmers with tractors and reducing the hiring price from N35, 000 to N20, 000.
”Like Oliver Twist, we will appreciate it if the price is further reduced to N10, 000 and government should also help farmers clear their farm lands and allowed payment for the service after harvest,” he added.