Cov/sma’il Adamu, Katsina
The National Apex of Nigerian Farmers Cooperative Societies says it is repositioning farmers’ cooperative societies for improved funding to enhance food security in the country.
National President of the organisation, Mr. Nwogwugwu Uzoma disclosed this in Daura, Katsina State, while inaugurating the North-west zonal Board of Trustees for the cooperatives.
He explained that the apex farmers’ cooperative societies was formed by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture in view of some lapses recorded in the implementation of previous schemes to assist farmers under the current administration.
According to him, the body has the mandate to reposition all agric cooperative societies and coordinate them to ensure that only real farmers get access to loans and other forms of assistance from the government, private institutions and international partners.
Mr. Uzoma said with the new organisation on board, issues of lack of access to funds and non-repayment of loans by farmers would be a thing of the past.
He explained that the body would work with large scale employers of labour in the agric sector as trustees considering their access to real farmers.
The National President said after screening a list of nominees in the North-west zone to serve on the board, the organisation had appointed Alhaji Nasiru Ahmed Daura as Zonal Trustee.
In an acceptance speech, Alhaji Nasir Daura noted that the North-west zone had the largest number of farmers in the country and gave an assurance that the board would carry them along in the schemes to enhance food production and agri-business.
He said “in the recent past, real practicing farmers were not consulted on issues that would boost their morale in ensuring food security in the country.
“Now with this organisation on board, we will ensure farmers access agricultural loans to improve on the food production, food processing and sales value chain which comprises all aspects of agribusiness.
“We will always partner the government to reach out to farmers at the grassroots,”Alhaji Nasiru Daura added.
The North-west zonal Trustee commended the Buhari-led administration for coming up with several programs to boost agricultural production which include the Anchor Borrowers’ Program, the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative, the Youth Farm Lab, and thr Presidential Economic Diversification Initiative.