Farmers seek government intervention for land acquisition

Disturbed by the long process of acquiring land for agricultural purposes, farmers under the aegis of Ifako-Akute Farmer’s Cooperative Multipurpose Society have called on government to address the challenges faced in acquiring land for various agriculture practices.

Speaking at their end of year party in Lagos, the President of Ifako-Akute Cooperative Multipurpose Society, Abayomi Odusami disclosed that due to failure of some state governments to assent to their request for land, for its over 200 members who are into Fishery, Crop plantation, Poultry, Piggery, amongst others, the society has deviced a means of getting land from private owners in Ibadan, Ijebu, Papalanto, Owode and other areas, at high rates.

Odusami warned that such scenario was a bad omen for the agriculture sector, which is supposed to produce more than enough for the citizenry and for government to save in the national food bank.

“In providing funds for the farmers, government should go through the cooperative societies which are duly registered with government, to prevent defaulters. The Central bank loan of N10, 000,000.00 is available if we can meet up with the required conditions. In order to get the loan, you must have at least N3, 000,000.00 as collateral. A lot of people are interested in farming, but the problem is, where are you going to get land for farming activities.”

Head of Marketing Committee of the Society, Jimmy Malomo informed that government needs to give farmers the necessary back up from the point of production of produce to the stage where the produce are sold.