COMBINE FARMING! Workable Tool For Co-Operative Societies.

           Prior to now, farmers in Edo State have no direct access to markets and had to depend on middlemen. Base on this development, ACFA farmers finds it difficult to produce the quantity and quality of food crops they would otherwise have grown. The result is that Produce spoiled due to poor storage and bad roads which hinders smooth transport to the lifting points (FARMS). Although farmers in other countries may have faced similar problem, succor always come in time, either from the government, individuals or company who have a need of the product produced by the farmers or international donors.

A case study is Thailand where farmers faced hectic situation in their farm road. precisely in 1986 a company called Swift Co. Ltd. took a holistic step in comparison to what ACFA wish to begin in Edo State. They organized all farmers together in one settlement and began contracting farmers’ groups to grow predetermined types and quantities of fruit and vegetables. Swift set out to remove other middlemen by guaranteeing a fair fixed price to farmers for each type of produce, to be renegotiated annually. Collection stations were built in the middle of each growing area so that the needed variety of produce could be assembled every day. Weighing and grading are carried out transparently in the presence of the farmers. Refrigerated trucks reduce losses.

Just like the proposed design of ACFA, Groups were run on democratic principles: one member – one vote. Each group elects a management committee that to serve them Members participate in all discussions with Swift Co. Ltd. and can vote freely on all issues. Everyone contributes one percent of his or her income for group funding. Although groups can opt out after an initial three-year contract, no farmers’ group ever grumbled or complained, henceforth.

All Co-operative Farmers Association, wished to remove the middlemen by guaranteeing a fair fixed price to farmers for each type of produce, to be renegotiated annually. Collection stations will be built in the middle of each growing area so that the needed variety of produce could be assembled every day. Weighing and grading are also to be carried out transparently in the presence of the farmers. Refrigerated trucks which ACFA believed will reduce losses will be used to convey the produce from the farms. In this way, they will be able to provide all necessary amenities and to manage the mental skills and quality administration so as to represent all co-operative farmers in the state and beyond. But the government needs to make friendly policy for the farmers so as to operate freely without deterrence from people who may not know what the end result of this program may result to.

The various governments Should strive to make use of ACFA in the instance that incentives or other kinds of benefit may be directed towards the farmers. With a calm and friendly environment created for the Association to operate, ACFA will be able to generate reasonable amount of money from the farmers to aid all faith strengthening programs of the government.

This will give an opportunity for the Association to assist the government to create employment opportunity for many youths and graduate who may not have opportunity to get a white collar job. We are sure that when reasonable numbers of youth are employed meaningfully will help to reduce youth restiveness, and curb rural urban migration.