AFAN urges members to get PVCs, demands inclusion in policy formulation
The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), has urged its members to obtain Permanent Voters Cards (PVCs) in the ongoing voter registration ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The National President of AFAN, Mr Farouk Mudi, made the call during the inauguration of the association’s newly elected executives in Sokoto State on Monday.
Mudi expressed dissatisfaction with the “lack of concern for farmers” in the areas of decision-making, policy formulation and implementation in the country.
In his words, “About 80 per cent of Nigerians who are farmers have been neglected in the areas of decision-making, policy formulation and implementation.
“All positions which have to do with agriculture must be left to members of the farmers association at the national, state and local government levels.
“We strongly believe that with our members in leadership positions in the agriculture sector, critical transformations will take place.
“Farmers must come together at local, state and national levels. We will not relent anymore; we must fight to get what belongs to us, regardless of any political party affiliation.’’
Mudi explained that the association unanimously resolved that any politician seeking farmers’ support must enter into an agreement with AFAN regarding decisions about farmers in Nigeria.
According to him, present national executives are trying to incorporate all categories of farmers, restructure the association for optimal performance and ways to explore opportunities for members.
He added that a database was being formulated, where individual farmers and groups were captured, to facilitate benefiting loan schemes, health insurance schemes and other initiatives to uplift farmers well being.
The National President said relevant authorities and institutions were being contacted to change the farmers’ situation for the better.