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Momodou
Denmark
11829 Posts |
 Posted - 25 May 2006 : 15:32:20
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Editorial
ARE THE FARMERS FORGOTTEN?
Agriculture is the base of the economy of this country. The majority of the population are farmers who rely on cultivation of the land for their survival. The government has been unable to deal with the problem of marketing agricultural products particularly the principal cash crop, groundnut. Even in years when there is bumper harvest buyers could only buy a tiny fraction of the crop. Moreover despite the annual promise by the government that there would be no credit buying, this is now the order of the day. This year seems to be the worst. The rainy season is fast approaching and a good number of farmers have not been paid. After receiving information that one-quarter of what is owed to the farmers has been paid FOROYAA investigated what was taking place on the ground.
We enquired from the following seccos whether groundnuts which were taken from the farmers had been paid: Jappeni, Kudang, Sankwia, Salikenne, Basse, Kaur, Farafenni and Kwinella. The answer was the same throughout. Movies owed are yet to be paid.
The farmers have now lost total hope and confidence in the government. It cannot buy their groundnuts nor can it get the private sector to do.
Needless to say, groundnut trade requires the mobilisation of huge financial resources and expertise. The private sector entrepreneurs may be willing to take risks in this sector only if they expect high returns, that is, low producer price and high world market price. The private sector will not be expected to be zealous to venture into the trade if the government fixes a producer, which the private sector considers high at a time when the world market price has fallen.
Clearly, the government policy of leaving the farmers at the mercy of the private sector and playing the role of facilitator has not yielded any fruitful result.
Will the government pay heed to the cries of the farmers by ensuring that the balance 36 million dalasis still owed is paid or are they just helpless in the situation?
Needless to say, the Secretary of State for Agriculture is advised not to make further promises until payment is effected. Otherwise, he will continue to make promises, which may not be fulfilled.
Source: Foroyaa Newspaper Burning Issue
Issue No. 40/2006, 25-28 May,2006
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A clear conscience fears no accusation - proverb from Sierra Leone |
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