From Segun Babatunde in Bauchi
In view of the persistent poor access by many small- scale farmers to the various funds for agriculture development in the country, the Association of Small- Scale Agro Producers In Nigeria (ASSAPIN)has called on the federal and state governments to earmark at least 60 per cent of the agriculture investments in budgets as well as in any intervention facility created by these level of governments for small – scale farmers and small scale agriculture.
The Association also urged government at all levels to prioritise participatory and transparent sectoral budget process for accountability and good governance for the small – scale farmers in the country.
Executive Director, ASSAPIN (Bauchi), Hajiya Amina Bala Jibrin who made the call during the official launching of the Influencing Strategy, Farmers Manifesto and Commitment Pledge held at Hazibal Hotels and Suites, Bauchi yesterday described agriculture as the largest employer of labour in the country that deserved better funding to attract more investors so as to create employment and ensure food security.
According to her, “Over 70 per cent of Nigerians are engaged in agriculture and many of them don’t even have access to Fertilisers and labour – saving equipment. The small – scale farmers are more vulnerable”.
“In the light of this and in view of the continuous nose – diving nature of budgetary allocations to the agricultural sector in the past few years,there should be visible efforts at increasing allocation to the sector in line with the Maputo/ Malabo commitments”, she demanded.
While also calling on governments at all levels to construct more rural infrastructure, especially roads from farming communities to markets to ease access to farm produce,she wants Agriculture Extension Services delivery be reformed to reduce the wide extension – farmer ratio and facilitate access to extension agent contact by farmer.
“The reformed involved the restructuring of the Agricultural Development Program (ADP) as well as training and increasing the number of extension agents in the country”.
Bauchi State Head of Civil Service (HoS), Adamu Yahuza Haruna who lunched the farmers’ manifestor lauded the Association of small – scale farmers of Nigeria for the initiative, saying that the Bauchi State Government will continue to support the initiative .
Yahuza pledged his determination as head of civil service in the state to support the influencer struggle in driving development projects to their communities.
He equally charged the influencers to focus more attention on the budget processes of their local governments to ensure priority needs of their communities are captured in the budget.
The head of service further assured them to be in the forefront of the struggle whenever the need arises.
Highlights of the occasion include testimonies from Apex members, presentation of the Farmers Manifesto and Commitment Pledge and launching of Strategy,among others.
