Ogun State Government is strongly considering initiating a bill for a law that will protect farmers' rights, promote accountability and ensure standard measurements of farm products in the agricultural sector
The State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, Mr Bolu Owootomo revealed this on Tuesday in Abeokuta during a policy engagement and stakeholders' dialogue on the adoption of standard weights and measures for farmers in the state.
He promised that his ministry would work with relevant legislative bodies and regulatory authorities to consider such laws
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 and 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.
Also speaking, the acting State Programme Coordinator of Value Chain Development Programme (VCDP), Mrs Temitope Ajisafe had earlier 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 for the legislation and the enforcement of the policy for improved farm products
No comments:
Post a Comment