Babatunde Ojo
Mr Biodun Olajire, president of De-Kings Cooperative Agricultural Multipurpose Society Limited on Monday called on government agencies and relevant bodies to increase their support for farmers in Lagos State.
Olajire made the call at the inaugural ceremony of the new executive members of the society at Ewu-Owa, Gberigbe area in Ikorodu, Lagos.
According to him, it is necessary to improve agricultural productivity in Nigeria and the livelihoods of farmers considering the huge task and challenges faced by farmers in Lagos state.
“I would like to express some of the challenges being faced by our farmers which include impact of COVID-19 on farmers in which our members are not exempted.
“The high cost of feeds; huge financial loss of capitals by our members most especially the fish farmers; occasioned by heavy flood.
“Others are long and bureaucratic bottle-neck to access loan 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.
Responding, 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 life 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.
Also speaking, Chief Adebayo Awomodu, Baale of Ewu-Owa community enjoined members of the society to work together for growth and to benefit from the government.
“I enjoy cooperative when I was in service, we used cooperative 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.