Agric Officer Wants Farmers To Float Cooperatives

The Divisional Agriculture
Officer (DAO), in-charge of Abua/Odual Local Government Area of Rivers State, Mr John Ogum, has called on farmers in the local government area to take advantage of the various agric programmes of the state and register as members of cooperatives.
Ogum who stated this while speaking to The Tide in Port Harcourt, during the celebration of the 2016 World Food Day, explained that the era of portfolio farming was over in the LGA.
He disclosed that before a farmer benefits from any incentive, they must show proof of owning a farm even before being registered as a farmer.
“Before we call you a registered farmer, I must see your farm, go to your farm, even before you are registered because those days are gone when we give loan to people who are not real farmers,’ he said.
While expressing satisfaction with the produce displayed by farmers from the area, he described the relationship of the farmers and that of the office of the DAO as cordial.
“My relationship with the farmers in the area is cordial because all of them are registered” he said.
He expressed satisfaction that the real farmers in the area were benefiting from loans, farming inputs and implements amongst others in contrast to the past were fake farmers appear when such developments occur.
“That time has gone, when they come and collect loan and will not pay, they just vanish, thereby depriving the genuine farmers,” he said.
For those in the localities that have not found it necessary to register as farmers but have the need for assistance from the government, the DAO appealed to them to endeavour to do so.
“They should endeavour to register, because nothing good comes easy and there is nothing you will do without cash,” he said.
On challenges facing the activities of famers in the area, Ogum said one of the major challenges was finance. While acknowledging the paucity of funds in the government circle, he explained that the development was telling gravely on farmers in the area.
“I also appeal that for agriculture to take its proper place in Rivers State, the government should endeavour to enhance farmers in any way possible,” he said.