By Ginika Okoye
Abuja – Farmers under the auspices of the Voices for Food Security (VFS) on Wednesday decried the continuous neglect by politicians across the country, saying that electioneering manifesto that capture their interests would henceforth earn their votes.
Chairman of VFS, Prof. Gbolagade Ayoola, said this while briefing journalists in commemoration of this year’s World Food Day in Abuja.
The chairman noted that farmers have resolved to engage politicians seeking farmers’ votes in 2019 to sensitise them on issues of interest to farmers and obtain their commitment in addressing the issues.
He said that issue-oriented election campaign that would recognise the importance of farmers to national development and as an average population of voters in the country would be welcomed.
Ayoola listed some issues of interest between farmers and politicians to include farmers’ participation in policy process, candidates’ contribution to support quick passage of the Right to Food Bill.
Others are: good agricultural governance, farmers-pastoralist clashes, prioritisation of food security in the budget and rural infrastructure provision, including feeder roads, rural water supply, among others.
“The Voice for Food Security (VFS) intends to establish appropriate yardsticks for monitoring the performance of successful candidates in office after 2019 elections thereby benchmarking their performances and ensuring they comply with the yearnings of farmers.
“A number of activities to sensitise politicians have been lined up like organising public mobilisation events (show your PVC rallies), advocacy visits in the pre and post-election periods.
“The purpose of this conference is to draw the attention of the general public to the need to give a voice and vote to farmers, not only in policy, but also in the polity,’’ he said.
News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that VFS is a coalition of civil society organisations working in the agricultural sector to engage and influence policies and practices in the agricultural sector in the country.
They are made up of different farmers’ organisations including: the Association of Small-Scale Agro Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), Farm and Infrastructure Foundation and the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC) among others.
The main objective of the various organisations is to address the plights of small scale farmers across the country.