Editorial: Need for farmers to put their house in order

Day by day, the attention food security situation of the country is receiving has called for the need why farmer Associations must put their house in order. 

This clarion call has become necessary for the purpose of identifying genuine apex Association in view of one parading itself as one. 

We are constrained to mention that two parallel associations in the name of apex body for farmers in Nigeria still beat the imagination of many stakeholders coupled with the past immediate government patronage that was supposed to be an umpire of fairness to the development of food commercial growth by rather wadding into the matter for mutual solution and stability of the Association. No wonder the issue has lingered unnecessarily.

The truth may be hard at times to say ,but in the spirit of fairness and equity for the generality of all, it is the best to be done. A divided house cannot achieve anything meaningful rather than selfish interest of which is evident with what we have seen so far especially in the last administration of the last two ministers of Agriculture who had decided to take unsustainable side. 

There is no way an Association can be without internal rancour, but the interest of the generality must be defended in unity, not in division as long as the disagreement did not generate to one faction moving out of the union thinking temporarily audience from the Minister is enough strength to sustain an association. As a matter of fact the idea of branching out of an association in the name of seeking a parallel solution can never give a tested purpose.

 It is better to stay together and collectively sort out the differences as a family than in division. This we have said to those that cares, and which this editorial is intended  to address with an intention to achieve the togetherness of farmers so as to be able to speak with one voice to the appropriate authority along the value chains of primary production in crops, animals and livestock.

This oneness will ensure solid relationship of constant training towards best agronomics of increased food production as they will be able to achieve much in speaking with one voice to the  Government and any other international or within bodies. All those concerned in this matter especially the Board of Trustees and other older foundational members of this apex  body must not close their eyes. It is time to wade into this matter and call a spade a spade.

We are of the view that a word is enough for the wise as we hope that the association strive in oneness and unity of progressive purpose. No farmer no nation.