CROSS RIVER GOVT, FARMERS REPOSITION AFAN AS APEX BODY, SET ELECTIONS FOR SEPTEMBER.
By Blessing Enagu.
The Cross River State agricultural sector is set to witness significant progress as farmers, the most critical stakeholders in the sector, have aligned with the State Government to revive and reposition the State chapter of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
At a crucial meeting of all heads of agricultural value chains in the State, convened at the instance of the Commissioner for Agriculture and Irrigation Development, Honourable Johnson Ebokpo, stakeholders unanimously endorsed AFAN as the apex umbrella body for farmers, with much enthusiasm to strengthen its structure in the State.
The meeting, held at Treasureland Hotel, Calabar, was attended by the AFAN Deputy National President II, Mr. Confidence Mac-Eteli, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Elder Dr. Odey Ikongha, the Programme Manager of the Agricultural Development Programme (ADP), Mr. Bassey Emogor, technical directors, and leaders of various commodity value chains.
In his remarks, Commissioner Ebokpo stressed the urgent need to streamline the State chapter of AFAN in order to enhance coordination and foster agricultural growth. He explained that Government interventions had been difficult in the past due to weak or poorly structured commodity groups, adding that every value chain must now be properly organised and aligned with the State Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation Development for easy identification, synergy, effective planning, and monitoring system.
“This administration is concerned about reaching the real farmers. The era of faceless or portfolio farmers is over. We must come together to build a formidable structure that can drive development from the centre down to the grassroots. This will also help the Government generate accurate agricultural data and design targeted, impactful interventions,” he said.
The Commissioner further disclosed the Governor’s approval of a list of patrons for all commodity value chains, while highlighting new additions introduced by the present administration, such as wheat, coffee, sorghum, cow pea and soybeans. He charged all commodity groups to prepare for a more robust AFAN, stressing that “when the value chains succeed, AFAN will also succeed.” He also cautioned against individuals or groups attempting to obstruct the ongoing reforms, warning that such actions would be met with stiff resistance within the frame of the law.
Also speaking, the AFAN Deputy National President ii, Confidence Mac-Eteli who was on a tour of South-South States to assess the association’s activities, commended the Cross River State Government for prioritising the welfare of farmers. He outlined membership eligibility criteria and further disclosed the executive positions to be filled in the forthcoming elections, noting that details would soon be made available on a new farmers’ platform.
Heads of commodity groups at the meeting applauded the State Government’s intervention and pledged their full support for the renewed AFAN structure.
The meeting culminated in the constitution of an Electoral Committee (ELECO) to oversee elections into AFAN’s executive positions, scheduled for September.
