After massively lifting spirits in the entire groundnut farming communities recently across the country in his just-concluded Meet The People, President Adama Barrow has yet to find time and the courtesy to atone for the crashing of his promise to start buying their produce on December 1.
Before the skies opened in June this year, farmers were hoping to benefit from fertilizer subsidies from the government.
However, instead of subsidising the price, the government decided to sign up for it.
Despite the government’s hugely criticized fertilizer policy, groundnut farmers in many groundnut-growing parts of the country have been reporting bumper harvests.
But still, they are faced with another nightmare as President Barrow mainly seized the tour to fire up on the emotions of the poor farmers leaving them in quandary about the fate of their produce!
When President Barrow met them not long ago, he gave them the joyful tidings that his government will start buying their groundnuts before December 2.
However, as we look forward to welcoming the New Year, farmers are still burdened with concerns of post-harvest losses and cash as the wheels of the Seccos have yet to start turning.
And, it’s Mr. Barrow himself, who promised farmers to prepare for enhanced economic health as they will start receiving much-needed cash for their harvests on December 1.
Now, after letting them down, Mr. Barrow could not still find it appropriate to apologize for shattering hopes.
And, the government is also still strangely taciturn when it comes to the Groundnut Trade Season.
What’s going on, we ask?
The unilateral announcement of this year’s farm-gate price for a ton of groundnut by President Barrow and his inability to make good on his promise to set the ball rolling for the groundnut trade season on December 1, are not strong signs of a good trade season.
Anyway, we are listening and watching, and we hope the president will fulfill his promises!
