Yemi Olakitan
The Ekiti State Farmers Community Association has requested the state government to offer concessional loans so that farmers can increase production this year.
Olatunji Ayegbusi, the association’s chairman, briefed newsmen on the need for government assistance to address agricultural difficulties last weekend in Ikole, Ekiti, and made the request on behalf of the members.
In order to survive the current economic difficulties the state and Nigeria as a whole are currently facing, he claimed, the farmers urgently needed federal support.
Ayegbusi asked the state administration to collaborate with foreign investors and private businesses to give them access to loans and fertilizers so they can boost the state’s agricultural output.
On behalf of the association in Ikole-Ekiti, he said: “I want to urge to our governor to empower us by granting us soft loans to boost agricultural produce so that we can reduce purchases from other states.
Farmers all throughout the federation have been receiving fertilizers from the federal government, but our own fertilizers are being misused, and we lack the funds to install irrigation systems to increase output on our numerous farms.
Because their state governments stepped in and provided them with appropriate funding to increase their output, farmers in other states are doing better than us. We are suffering because of our lack of security, and the farm equipment we need to make our labor easier is too expensive to buy.
Additionally, he begged the state government to save them and provide a budget for farming and farmer empowerment in the state.
Ayegbusi also pleaded with the state governor, Biodun Oyebanji, to give the registered farmers association’s welfare top priority. Incentives intended for them should be sent to the association’s chairman rather than any state officials, he continued.
