By Segun Folarin
Ogun State government has promised to work with relevant legislative bodies and regulatory authorities to consider laws that will protect farmers’ rights while promoting accountability and standardization across the sector.
The Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bolu Owootomo stated this at a policy engagement and stakeholders’ dialogue on the adoption of standard weights and measures for farmers in Ogun state.
Mr Owootomo who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the ministry, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye said the contributions of farmers to the economic growth and development in the country remained invaluable hence the need to support protect them with relevant policies.
The Agriculture Commissioner remarked that 97 point 1 percent of farmers were willing and ready to adopt the practices of standard weights and measure if there were government guidance and policy to support them.
He reiterated government’s commitment to facilitating a structured policy dialogue involving all stakeholders in the agricultural value chain-farmers, processors, marketers, regulators, and development partners.
The National programme coordinator, Value Chain Development Programme, Dr Fatima Aliyu, represented by an officer in the ministry, Mr Agama Sunday said the adoption of standard weights and measure would to eradicate all forms of cheating and enhance farmers sustainability.
Earlier, the Acting State Programme Coordinator, Value Chain Development Programme, VCDP, Mrs Temitope Ajisafe had explained that the stakeholders’ engagement forum was necessary to ensure that the objective of standard weights and measures was achieved.
Representatives of farmers who commended the state government for its efforts towards promoting food security in the state said there was the need for government to ensure the availability of standard scales and weights to enhance equity across various markets in the State.
They also advocated the legislation and the enforcement of the policy for improved product farm produce.
