Business
Ogun Farmers Seek Uniform Prices For Farm Produce
The Ogun chapter of Association of Small-Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria has appealed to the state government to assist its members in fixing minimum market prices for all farm produce in the area.
The President of the association, Mrs Dorcas Owokade, made the appeal on Wednesday in Ijebu-Ode at the inauguration of the state executive members of the association.
She observed that fixing minimum market prices for farm produce in the state would create conducive atmosphere for increased food and raw materials production as well as higher income for farmers.
Owokade also urged the state government to make provision for the purchase of all farm produce that the market could not absorb at such fixed minimum prices.
She said the association planned to dialogue with government agencies to ensure that the objective was realised.
“There is nowhere in the world where adequate food production is guaranteed without government subsidy.
“That is why we are calling on government to consider agricultural subsidy for farmers, through fixing of guaranteed minimum prices for all farm produce in collaboration with farmers.
“The association is ready to collaborate with government, the private sector and NGOs to improve the lot of small-scale farmers by increasing food production in the state and the country at large,” she added.
Owokade also promised that the association would work toward ensuring that not less than 10 per cent of the state’s annual budget was allocated to agriculture.
She suggested that the association should be allowed to have its representatives on all boards of the state agricultural related agencies to facilitate the realisation of increased food production.