Persons with Disabilities Farmers Association (PWDFA) in Osun seeks inclusion in the government’s agricultural programmes and policies to encourage and empower its members.

“We want inclusiveness, assistance and the same opportunities given to regular farmers,’’ its coordinator, Olanrewaju Oladosu, told journalists on Saturday in Osogbo.

“We need the state to carve out farm settlements for our members in each local government area.

“Disabled persons do not want to beg for alms, so we need the state government to empower us.

“We have more than 1,000 members in different farming sectors since PWDFA was formed in May 2022.

“We have members in fish farming, crop cultivation, animal husbandry and poultry farming who are contributing their quota to food production in the state and in the country,’’ he said.

Mr Oladosu expressed regret that disabled persons were usually treated as social outcasts.

He explained that the association was formed and registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission so as to cater to the needs of members and to surmount challenges facing them.

“One of the aims of establishing the PWDFA is to get government’s recognition and to get the needed assistance.

“We appeal to government to give us the opportunity to operate and excel,’’ he stressed.

He identified the major challenge facing PWDFA members as paucity of funds.

“Our members are doing their level best to contribute to food production, but we need government’s assistance,’’ he said.

Mr Oladosu noted, however, that the federal ministry of agriculture and FADAMA had assisted PWDFA twice with farm implements, day-old chicks and poultry feeds, grinding machines, deep freezers, popcorn machines and others.

While appreciating the federal government and its agencies for the assistance, he urged the Osun state government to equally look in the direction of the PWDFA with the needed support. 

(NAN)