The Ewu-Owa community in Gberigbe region of Ikorodu, Lagos State, has called for more government’s support for farmers.
It spoke at the launch of De-kings Cooperative Agricultural Multipurpose Society Limited.
President of the society, Abiodun Olajire, said it was established to raise the standard of living for farmers and increase agricultural output in Lagos.
Olajire noted the difficulties faced by farmers in the area, including COVID-19, high cost of feeds, financial losses brought on by flooding, and limited access to loans.
He urged the government to assist farmers in raising their level of living so they could boost Ikorodu Local Government and the state economy.
“I would like to express some of the challenges being faced by our farmers. This includes impact of COVID-19 on farmers of which our members are not exempted.
“High cost of feeds; huge financial loss of capital by members, especially fish farmers, and flood.
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“Others are long and bureaucratic process to access loans; little or no benefit by members from agricultural bodies, and economic downturn among others.
“This is the first agricultural cooperative in this community.
“We appeal to Lagos State to come to our aid so we can contribute to the state and Ikorodu economy,” he said.
Principal Registrar of Cooperative in Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperative, Chukwukere Olubanke assured members the state would enhance and empower all registered cooperatives.
Olubanke urged residents to join the cooperative society to take advantage of government’s benefits.
Baale of Ewu-Owa, Chief Adebayo Awomodu enjoined members to work together for development.
“I enjoy cooperative when I was in service. We used cooperatives for progress and it helped us. You need to unite because opportunities can come from the Federal Government and state,”he said.