Council boss canvasses return of marketing board to reduce post harvest losses

Sabitu Olamide, chairman of Ewekoro Local Government area in Ogun state has canvassed the return of marketing board to absorb losses which farmers incur by not selling off their produce during glut, adding that farmers should embrace cropping with aquaculture to diversify their risks from running them out of business.

Speaking at the close of training for 500 unemployed youths and farmers in Abeokuta, the state capital, on Wednesday, Olamide said the re-establishment of Marketing Board and embrace of mixed farming would provoke more interest in Agriculture.

At a forum attended by the heads of the Local Government Administration, Sunday Adewunmi, council chairman said, “This training could not have come at a better time in the annals of the state and country when the prices of oil has pummelled.”

“More than ever before, Agriculture should be taken seriously by all and sundry now that allocation from the Federation Account has not been forthcoming,” he adds.

“The training will allow us to redirect the energies of our youths and farmers to more productive way of farming with this aquaculture exposure, having being taught the latest skill in that aspect of farming,” Adewumi further stated.

Meanwhile, a representative of the trained farmers and youths, Wale Ogunade, has commended the local government for conceptualizing the hands-on-experience for them, saying what they have gained would be put to optimum use for self and the state benefit.

Ogunade, who spoke for his colleagues, urged the council to make the training a regular affair to further enhance their skills and ultimately, their productivity.

Razaq Ayinla