FOROYAA Newspaper (Serrekunda)
Publisher
2 November 2009
2008 World Market Price for Groundnuts - 36,809 dalasis per ton; Local Purchaser Price -D8000 per ton
The trade season is fast approaching. Government should now be preparing the ground for crop financing so that the groundnut produce of the farmers would be sold without delay which often results in pest infestation and aflatoxin contamination. In 2008/2009 trade season announcement was made of the purchasing price of groundnuts but little activity took place at the Secco level.
While the world Market price was put at D36, 809 dalasis per ton the local price at the secco level was put at 8000 dalasis per ton. This raises many questions on the fairness of the prices of agricultural produce. The farmers are waiting anxiously to know the producer price for the 2009/2010 trade season. The poverty in the rural areas has compelled many farmers to buy clothes for their family members and settle debts on a yearly basis.
The trade season usually takes place just when the feast associated with the slaughtering of a sheep is taking place. Hence farmers often get new clothes for the feast and make use of it for the year. It is therefore important for Government to note that the most important activity which could impact on poverty is the purchasing of groundnuts. A fair price on time would greatly reduce poverty and an unfair price on credit buying basis would increase poverty and hardship.
Editor's Note
Edward Francis Small pioneered the establishment of the Cooperative movement to ensure that Farmers demand for their right to know the world market price for groundnuts and to have a say in the negotiation to determine a fair local price. There is need for a Farmer's Cooperative Union which could enhance production, negotiate fair prices and facilitate smooth marketing.
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