The two main farm produce markets in Iwoland are Odo Ori and Oluwo.
There is this observation I noticed lately in these markets. There is the sudden emergence of young boys who are now touts (omo baba oniso) and intermediaries between farmers and retailers in the markets.
It’s obvious from the markets, farmers can not sell their farm produce directly. The aged were the ones in the operations years back but the eruption of these young guys as touts is creating a very big issue for us as end-users of farm produce especially in Iwoland. They get more benefits and profits than real farmers nowadays.
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Apart from the profits from farmers, they also get proceeds from market women as Iwo Ile over any sale they make on behalf of farmers.
For instance, about two markets ago, a yam seller in Odo Ori market confided in me that, from a park of yam sold at 30k, the touts will be charging 10k as Owo Ile from them, they will still collect a fraction from farmers at the end.
They are the ones to place prices on any farm produce brought by farmers. They are the ones getting the whole profits the farmers would have gotten. Also, They go back home on a daily basis with very huge profits while the farmers go home with peanuts.
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This action is really causing high rises in the market values of our products like yam, cassava, potatoes, spices like pepper and tomatoes. This is the peak of the season when prices of commodities are supposed to be very cheap but the reverse is the case.
If this is the stake presently what would happen during the dry season? For how long shall we continue like this?
Something urgent needs to be done to nip this in the bud before it gets out of hands, I suggest. I am therefore asking Our Kabiyesi, High Chiefs, and good public and opinion leaders in the town to take a proactive measure on this.
When the elderly people were in charge, it wasn’t as bad as this. It’s as a result of quickly getting rich syndrome that is approaching the minds of our youths that is causing these cancerous deeds.
Save us, please!
Ile Iwo ko ni baje ooo. Amin!
