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Momodou
Denmark
11832 Posts |
 Posted - 19 Jul 2007 : 01:48:59
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FARMERS’ REPS CALL FOR INCREASED ALLOCATION TO AGRICULTURE
By Modou Jonga
Representative of National Farmers’ Association (NACOFAG) and a regional farmers Association (ROPPA) have urged the Governments of The Gambia, Senegal and Ghana in the West African Sub-region to allocate 65-75% of their national budget to the Agricultural Sector inorder to motivate the farming populace.
This recommendation is one of many agreed upon by farmers’ representatives at a convention held at Cotonou in the Republic of Benin. The said recommendations were delivered by Mr. Momodou Jaiteh, of the National President of Cashew Growers Association, during a consultative forum held recently at the Friendship Hotel in Bakau.
The farmers representatives demanded for the removal of barriers to access relevant, reliable and timely information to the farming populace in the member countries. According to Mr. Jaiteh, the practice of good governance is vital to the attainment of the aims and objectives of both national and regional farmers’ bodies.
The farmers have thus demanded for an equitable pricing of their products. On the importation of agricultural produce into the country, farmers called on the government to patronize and protect locally produced goods.
Speaking further, Mr. Jaiteh, noted that it is relevant that farmers, who constitute the bulk of the work force of the country, be motivated and capacitized. The Cashew Growers’ president, on behalf of the farmers, further urged relevant authorities to enforce quality control policies on imported products such as chicken, rice, etc., in a bid to verify the consumption of such products as safe.
The delegates drawn from the various member countries of ROPPA and Civil Society Organisations have demanded to be given an effective voice in issues relating to the farming population of the West African Sub-Region.
The consultative forum was attended by the Permanent Secretary, Department of State for Agriculture, Mr. Sulayman Trawally, NAM for Foni Bondali, Hon Muttar Kujabi, Director of TANGO, Mr. Ousman Yabo, Deputy Director of NAS, Mr. Bai Cham, among others.
Editor’s Note:
The establishment of farmers platform is very significant. It is true that if one combines both the recurrent and development budget for 2007, agriculture will receive an allocation of 204 million which amounts to 3.69% of the combined recurrent and development budget. Debt service charges constitute 1534 million dalasis. However, Foroyaa would like to caution the leaders of the farmers that before recommendations are made, enlightened opinion should be sought regarding the allocation of resources to the various sectors so that one can make a realistic recommendation on the share of agriculture regarding the budget.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper burning Issue
Issue No. 82/2007, 16 – 17 July 2007
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