REPOSITIONING AGRICULTURE IN EDO STATE: All Cooperative Farmers Association

To whom it may concern:

I want to remind;

Ø The Honorable Commissioner For Agriculture And Natural Resources.

Ø HonorableCommissioner For Environment And Utilities.

Ø Permanent Secretary, Ministry Of Agriculture.

Ø Permanent Secretary, Ministry Of Environment.

Ø Director of Farm Service And Pest Control Ministry Of Agriculture.

Ø The Honorable Chairman, Ovia North East Local Government Area

That I have on behalf of the Organized Co-operative Farmers in Edo State written severally to suggest, recommend, remind you of the dilemma Edo Farmers are facing. Only for the proposition to be taken with laxity. 

I want to once again remind you that in 2013 there was a report release in one of the national station and relayed in one of the State Television Station said that Edo was placed as the 16^th cassava producing state in the country. 

This report ignited the move by the All Cooperative Farmers Association to pay a visit to the local government chairman of Ovia North East local Government Area, Okada. To intimate her of the intent of the co-operative farmers mouth-piece to establish a co-operative farm in Okokhuo community, in order o boost the cultivation of cassava in the local government area.

           The farmers Association has cited this project in Okokhuo because of the relative peace experienced in the community. Another reason for citing the project in Okokhuo community was because of the fertility of the soil in the said area, and also because that was where the state government through the Ministry of Environment agreed to approve a piece of land for the purpose of farming for this great farmers Association to set up this proposed co-operative farm

During the visit the council boss promised to immediately order the works department to do a on-the spot assessment of the road in order to commence the bulldozing and grading of the only major road leading to numbers of farms in the community, including the cooperative farm

To assure the all cooperative farmers Association of how determined she was, the information was broadcast in the state broadcasting station Edo Broadcasting Television 

Base on this assurance giving to the farmers that the bulldozing of the road will commerce immediately, they embarked on the processing of the land for cultivation.

From the want of these farmers they were able to collective raise about N2.6m which was used for clearing, crosscutting, preparing and planting of the 50 acres cleared by the zealous and dedicated farmers of the Association.

To analyze the situation All Cooperative Farmers Faced after strenuously coughing out almost N3m in a project that the farmers were not able t salvage even N2, 000=

Gave birth to confusion, disagreement, separation distrust which eventually erupt among the members of the Association. This presently is still ongoing. This wouldn’t have been experienced if the Ovia North East Boss, Kept her promise of Bulldozing and Grading the farm road as the money spent by the farmers for the project is like money thrown into flame of fire. Almost blowing away with a whirlwind like chaff, this would have been prevented.

        Our recommendation and request therefore is that even if the appropriate office here-unto mentioned cannot completely repay for the damaged already done, we request that the road to the farm should immediately be bulldoze and graded financial support should be rendered to all farmers that has participated in the farm seedlings and other available support should be provided in order to assist the All Cooperative Farmers Association to meet up with their targets of cultivation 100 acres of cassava farm this 2014 farming season

Your understanding will be highly appreciated

                                                                  General Secretary,

                                                  All cooperative farmers Association

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Edo Farmers, NEGLECTED

Neglecting Peasant Farmers

Farmers! The likes of  Madam. Alice Isibor, 78 years old farmers from Ovia North East Local Government Area, who  have decided to dump farming because of the neglect of this sector by all relevant stake holders, says to ACFA’s Crew that she became tired when  it becomes obvious that the government and other private investors; both foreign or local, does not have regard for farmers.

Their intent is to use the farmers like bathing slippers and throw them to the doorway, when going to attend a very important occasion.

She said that at a time when she needs some seedlings; the government fail to meet up in this regard. And “in my very eyes, they were giving these farmers basic requirements to people that already have money”. Only to keep telling the international body that they are helping the peasant farmers.

This prompt for this question! Who actually are peasant farmers?

This reminds me of the Chinese proverb which says: “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man how to fish, and you feed him for a lifetime.” Generally, African peasants are not helped to succeed as farmers, though there are exceptions in some African countries. peasant farmers could also be referred to as Subsistence Farmer

Since colonial times, Africa’s best land has been devoted to the production of cash crops for export. In addition, large farming projects have been developed to provide food for the more affluent cities. Thus peasant farmers have often been pushed off good land and forced to subsist on land that is less productive. Left to fend for themselves, Africa’s peasants have degraded fragile land by over cultivation and overgrazing, and by cutting down too many trees. Large portions of Africa are turning into desert.

Their position have been undermined by price-fixing. To please city dwellers, many African governments keep the price of farm produce very low. This policy, according to the scientific journal Nature, has “contributed powerfully to the decline of agriculture, the hunger of the same urban populations and the dependence of potentially fertile Africa farm-land for food imports.”

Our mission

Our mission is to bring together, protect and make financial and moral provisions for all our members. And to protect them from being lynch or cheated on by oppressors. We are very sure that no matter

how strong or popular our intending challenger may be, ACFA will never give way for any of its members/affiliates to be victimized. The Association will on behalf of all its members shareholders receive, collect, and manage any financial or material incentives directed to it. Including any kind of grants.

            

To exhibit her interest in farming, the Ovia North East Loocal Government Chairman, Barr. Mrs. Lucy Omagbon, has given a go ahead to the works department in the council area to ascertain what it will cost the local government council to Bulldoze and Grade the farm Road leading to the Cooperative farm in Okokhuo Community. being managed by All Cooperative Farmers Association, Edo State.

See the Outcome of the Visit to the farm by the local government engineer and the Agric H.O.D