By Eben Enasco
With the surge in price of food commodities in the Nigeria going beyond consumers’ reach, Oredo Government Council Chairman Dr. Tom Obaseki has concluded plans to enhance the availability, and affordability of such items for residents.
Dr. Tom Obaseki who made the statement on Thursday, during a stakeholders’ meeting with farmers of Oredo Government Council origin held at the Council Secretariat, in Benin City, said the Council has commenced moves to launch the “Farmers’ Market” initiative, to boost local marketing of their farm produce.
According to him, the Farmers’ Market is expected to operate every week, allowing farmers to showcase their produce without subjecting them to any form levies by unions. He added that the necessary arrangements have been put in place for the market’s prompt commencement.
Dr. Tom Obaseki urged local food producers not be dissuaded because of the prevalent economic crisis in the country as the state government was putting measures in place to address the food hike and support farmers to expedite efforts towards increased production of food crops in the State.
The council chairman noted, “This new initiative will make food items available and cheap for residents of Oredo to purchase thereby reducing the economic hardship on the people.”
Obaseki who recognized the pivotal role of farmers in sustaining human civilization and applauded them as resilient warriors who despite grappling with prevailing economic challenges in the country expressed satisfaction for their substantial contributions to the State’s economic advancement.
He urged them to persist in advancing the local economy, hinting that the state government led by Governor Godwin Obaseki has put up a framework to end insecurity through the anti-grazing bill which was passed into law under the current administration to discourage cows from invading farmlands and ensure both farmers and their crops are protected from theft.
Earlier, speaking on behalf of the farmers, Dennis Imina who opined that the Farmer’s Market will ease the stress of doing business with market Union leaders.
He, however, pleaded with the Government to address some of their challenges including purchases of chemicals to eradicate weeds, inadequate machines for processing crops into finished products, as well as taming cows invading their farmland.
