All Farmers Association of Nigeria, (AFAN) on Saturday, threw its weight behind the Federal Government’s ban on direct purchase of farm produce involving indigenous farmers and foreign nationals, describing it as a welcome development. AFAN in a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Mohammed Magaji, said the Federal Government’s stand was taken to protect farmers from being short-changed, stressing that this had always been the position of the association. According to him, with the new directive, all foreign nationals are expected to go through licensed local agents to do business with the indigenous farmers.
“In view of this, AFAN wishes to appreciate the Federal
Government for banning any direct purchase of farm produce involving indigenous farmers and foreign nationals. Our association is in full support of the Federal Government position and I call on all the state chairmen to ensure strict compliance with this directive,” said Magaji. While appreciating the government’s efforts at boosting food security and protecting the farmer, Magaji called on the government to avail AFAN members “Harvest Loan” to ease the burden of harvesting season by farmers.
He said the availability of harvest loan will enable the farmers to harvest their crops with ease without being forced to dispose their produce to foreign nationals out of scarcity of funds at the period of harvest.