BENUE FARMERS TO REVIVE DORMANT COMMODITY ASSOCIATIONS

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BY OWOLABI OLUWADARA

The Benue chapter of the Federation of Agricultural Commodity Associations of Nigeria has undertaken measures to realign, reform, reorganize, and enhance commodity associations within the state.

The Coordinator of Benue FACAN, Mr. Vitalis Tarnongu, indicated that the initiative aims to revitalize the associations in order to embrace optimal agronomic practices, thereby increasing food production.

In correspondence addressed to the FACAN national president on Monday in Makurdi, the coordinator announced the prompt establishment of a committee tasked with reviewing the associations to facilitate improved performance and coordination.

Tarnongu remarked that upon taking office in March, he observed that the commodity associations were in a dormant state, highlighting an urgent necessity for their revitalization.

“The committee discovered also, amongst other anomalies, that more than 90 per cent of commodity associations’ leadership, against the FACAN constitution, has stayed in office for decades.

“Most of the commodity associations existing in the state are not affiliated with any national office of the association, nor with FACAN.

“Most of the commodities formed in the state are not organised and can hardly benefit from modern agronomic practice; hence, low yield results at harvest time.

“Most crop cultivation in the state is not identified for the purpose of economic planning and growth.