Oyo state farmers' cooperatives demand Agric palliative

 

About thirteen (13) organized farmers' cooperatives in Oyo state have asked the Government to distribute their pumping irrigation machines sent by the Federal Government ( FG)since last October as Agriculture palliative to boost food production.

The cooperatives' members alleged that the state government is yet to give the machines for irrigation farming sent by the FG in order to use them to plough back sufficient food production into the system.

The spokesperson of the farmers' cooperatives, Chief ( Mrs) Arinola Aderibigbe explained that they were informed from Abuja about the items, and their visit to Oyo State Agricbusiness Development Agency ( OYSADA) confirmed the arrival of the items, adding they were persuaded by one of the officials to be patient for the above directive for distribution.

Aderibigbe pointed out that up till now none of those pumping machines have been given out to their members even though there are rumours that the  items are already being given out to wrong hands who would not use them to add value to food sustainability in the state.

She said all efforts to get the items distributed since the visit to OYSADA on Monday November 27, 2023 where an official of the Agency promised that the machines would be distributed as soon as consultation with top officials is finalized.

Also an independent Agriculture stakeholder source in the state that is very close to OYSADA told Foodfarmnews that government palliatives to the sector is a mere waste of money as the items are always shared to friends and cronies of government officials who nobody can argue are not farmers since they must have perfected their actions against any allegation or doubt.

Our source who preferred  anonymity said the items were actually received in Oyo state, and some people which nobody  can argue are not farmers have been given some of the items that he knew, adding that palliatives and subsidies sheer waste of government money as actual farmers would not get the items.

Also some of the officials who spoke on phone with Foodfarmnews confirmed the arrival of the Agric palliative but stated they cannot make any official statement except they are being directed.

Our text messages on Whatsapp and phone calls to the Director General ( DG), OYSADA did not receive response up till the time of this news release.

The cooperative groups concerned are: Binukonu Farmers Iyana Offa Cooperative Society Limited; Ojaagbo Boluyo Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited, Ibadan; Agbeletu Cluster Farmers; Achiever Cluster Farmers; Olorunda/ Aderemi Cluster Farmers; and Akam Cluster Farmers.

The others are: Anu Oluwa Fadama Users Farmers Multipurpose Cooperative Society Limited; Ilero Agbeloba Rice Farmers; Ifelere Fadama Farmers; Alubarika Cluster Farmers; and others.