Various commodity associations and stakeholders in the agricultural sector have expressed support for Dr Farouk Mudi, the re-affirmed President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN).
Their endorsement was made during the National Expanded Executive Council Meeting of AFAN on Wednesday in Abuja.
Dr Bello Abubakar, President of the Maize Farmers Association and current Vice President of AFAN, said the ongoing restructuring of the association would positively impact the agricultural sector.
“We are here today for this strategic meeting on how to restructure AFAN. Based on the outcome of the court judgment that reaffirmed the Alhaji Farouk-led AFAN, the time is now for us to synergise and get it right.
“We need to swing into action. We’re starting with bringing all farmers under one umbrella through the commodity associations.
“We can unite together, bringing on board all bodies including community-based organisations (CBOs) in the agriculture sector under AFAN, and we will support Alhaji Farouk to do this,” he said.
Also speaking, Alhaji Yunusa Halidu, National Secretary of AFAN, emphasised the need to integrate smaller clusters of commodity associations into a unified structure to harmonise both commodities and advocacy.
“There are so many layers of commodity associations. Let them re-group so it becomes easier to carry them along,” he said.
He urged all farmers to cooperate regardless of their commodity focus, adding that Dr Farouk Mudi is capable of driving the needed change.
Mr Anibe Achimugu, President of the National Cotton Association of Nigeria, called the meeting ‘a good start for AFAN’ and a promising step for farmers nationwide.
“I love what the Deputy President said that one strand of broom is weak, but when bundled together, it becomes strong. That’s what we’ve all agreed to do: speak to our members and other commodity association leaders.
“The president is someone with great ideas and genuine passion for farmers. We stand behind him and are committed to making agriculture a key driver of the economy,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Tola Ogunnubi, National Publicity Secretary of the Wheat Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, said the meeting was timely and called for action.
“Farmers have long been neglected, with little access to funding. Insecurity has also hindered them from performing optimally.
“As I always say, agriculture is no longer just about tilling land, it’s about growing what you plant and seeing agriculture as a business.
“Nigerians must begin to view agriculture through the lens of agribusiness and economic growth,” he added. (NAN)
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