Saturday, 10 January 2015

REPOSITIONING AGRICULTURE IN EDO STATE: All Cooperative Farmers Association


To whom it may concern:
I want to  on behalf of All Cooperative Farmers Association Edo State, remind:-
Ø The Honorable Commissioner For Agriculture And Natural Resources.
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 as a follow up to the letter previously written to these offices in respect of how to Reposition and Sustain the activities of farmers in Edo State, wish to remind you once again of the dilemma Edo Farmers are facing. And to know why this proposal was taken with laxity. 
I want to once again bring to your notice that in 2013 there was a report release in one of the National Media Station and relayed in one of the State Television Station which says that Edo
was placed as the 16th 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, this August visit and the promise made by  Barr. Mrs. Lucy Omagbon was broadcast in  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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