Agbekoya decries neglect of farmers by govt

The Agbekoya Farmers Association, Ondo State chapter, has raised the alarm over the neglect of farmers by various governments across the country.The association, however, lauded the efforts of the Ondo State governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko, over his programmes in the agricultural sector in the last three years.The Ondo state Coordinator of the association, High Chief Akinde Adeyemi, while speaking with newsmen in Ode-Irele, Irele Local Government Area of the state, lamented that farmers had not been getting their fair share from the three tiers of government in the country.According to him, many states had failed to properly implement their budgetary provisions for the agricultural sector.He, therefore, urged states Houses of Assembly and the National Assembly to make law that would enhance the living standard of farmers in Nigeria and mandate the states and Federal Government to ensure that part of their budgets air marked on agriculture are properly implemented.Chief Akinde said the looming danger poised by the government's non-challant attitude towards the plights of farmers in Nigeria might cause the nation more havoc and bring about food scarcity in the nearest future.He, however, commended Dr Mimiko for his developmental projects, particularly in the area of agriculture in the first three years of his administration.Chief Akinde who is also the Basorun of Ode-Irele, said the gesture rendered by Mimiko to farmers in the state was unprecedented and called on other governors to take a clue from him to avert famine 'in our land.'He appealed to the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) to prosecute any governor that diverted money meant for the development of agriculture in his state.This, he said, would compel them to focus on the welfare of farmers and development of agriculture in their respective states.He explained further that Agbekoya Farmers Association which is an affiliation of Agbekoya Group that fought tirelessly in the early 90's for the liberation of Nigeria as a nation, has been forgotten by those who now live on the fruits of his labour.Akinde implored Yoruba leaders in particular to ensure that Agbekoya name is immortalized for posterity sake.He said the objective of Agbekoya Farmers Congress was to represent the interest of the common man and Nigerian farmers who he described as the bread winners of the nation.'We are affiliation and descendants of Agbekoya Group. We are the food basket of the nation. What we have done is to change our focus from war to agriculture. We are out to represent the interest of farmers and we want governments at all levels to encourage and embrace us. Without farming, there will be no farmers and without farmers, there will be famine in the nation,' Akinde said.Akinde said the association would continue to appreciate and support the state governor, but urge him not to relent in his support for the farmers in the state.
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