Jare Babatunde
Residents of Ewu – Owa community in Gberigbe, Ikorodu Local Government Area of Ikorodu Division, Lagos State, Southwest, Nigeria, have appealed to the government to increase its support for farmers in the State.
The call came at the inauguration of the De-kings Cooperative Agricultural Multipurpose Society Limited, Ewu – Owa on Monday, September 19, 2022.
Mr Abiodun Olajire, President iof the new Cooperative who made the appeal also stated that the body was established to raise the standard of living for farmers and increase agricultural output in Lagos.
He noted the difficulties faced by farmers in the area, including COVID-19, high cost of feed, financial losses brought on by flooding, and limited access to loans.
Olajire said that assistance from government and other agencies would raise farmers’ living conditions and at the same time, boost agricultural production in Ikorodu Local Government and the state economy.
“I would like to express some of the challenges being faced by our farmers. This includes the impact of COVID-19 on farmers of which our members are not exempted.
“The high cost of feeds; huge financial loss of capital by members, especially fish farmers, and food.
“Others are long and bureaucratic bottle-necks to access loans by farmers; little or no benefit by our members from the agricultural bodies, economic down-town among others.
“This is the first agricultural cooperative in this community. We therefore appeal to Lagos state government to come to our aid to help out living and contribute to the State and Ikorodu local government economy.” he said.
In her reaction, Mrs Olubanke Chukwukere, Principal Registrar, Cooperative, Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, assured them that Lagos State government is committed to enhancing and empowering all fully registered cooperatives in the state.
Chukwukere urged residents of the community to join the cooperative society in order to take advantage of the state government’s benefits such as grants and other intervention.
She explained the guiding principles, organisational structure, and funding sources that members must follow for the growth of the society and the community.
“Cooperative is a self-help society that can change the lives of members, especially Farmers to have a better livelihood.
“The most important thing needed is cooperation among members, if principles and guidelines are followed, you will all benefit with a tremendous growth in your farm inputs,” she said.
Chief Adebayo Awomodu, Baale of Ewu-Owa community also speaking, enjoined members of the society to work together for growth and to benefit from the government.
“I enjoyed Co – operative when I was in service, we used it for progress and it helped us. You all need to unite because opportunities can come from the Federal Government and the State government,” he said.
