For a couple of weeks now since the issue of N60 billion cell phones to farmers came to the front burner, there has been a deluge of criticism over the government’s burning desire to inject the entire rural space of the country with cellphones.
But even after the Agriculture Minister, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina attempted to clear the air on the raging controversy, that no such amount was ever earmarked for such project, saying government was planning to distribute only two million phones to farmers this year, that move has not doused the ill feelings generated by that initiative.
Saturday Vanguard went to town to feel the pulse of farmers and stakeholders on the issue. Those who spoke to us vehemently said the whole arrangement was faulty, while others described it as a misplaced priority.
Justifying its position, the Federal Government maintained that whether small, medium or large farmers, they all need information and communication systems. Truly, connecting to supermarkets, value chains, and international markets require that farmers know and meet stringent consumer-driven grades and standards; as well as curbing corruption and those doing brisk businesses with several government intervention measures like the fertilizers, seed sectors and agric loans. This, government believes can only be achieved through distribution of cellphones where direct communication could take place between government and the farmers. We present the stakeholders different positions.
Apparently, in a bid to clear the air on the controversial N60billion cellphones to farmers, the Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina elucidated on the need for providing cellphones to farmers, saying it would curb sharp practices in the sector anytime government tries to connect with farmers.
The minister cited the procurement and distribution of subsidized fertilizers in the past arguing that people took advantage of the situation, and at the end, less than 11 percent farmers got the fertilizers.
0 comments:
Post a Comment