Ndode Mathias Kome a farmer in Mbwogmut I, Tombel Sub Division has lamented that the biggest bunch of plantain in the village is sold at FCFA 500.
Kome was speaking to The Ultimate recently where he said their village produces plantain in huge quantity but they suffer from the exploitative hands of buyers.
He said since they are located at the Eastern border of Tombel and Bangem Sub Divisions buyers face difficulties accessing the road to their village.
According to the farmer, Nkinchinde villages (Kodmin, Mbwogmut I and Mbwogmut II) produce about ten Hilux of plantain weekly but they lack good roads to carry their plantain to the market. He said previously, they transport plantain on motorbikes to Ngusi market in Tombel Sub Division and Mwambong market in Bangem Sub Division.
The farmer narrated that the exorbitant cost of plantain transportation robbed them from selling at a profit. He said it is for this reason that Kodmin, Mbwogmut I and Mbwogmut II decided to open their own market in Mbwogmut I. He said the irony is that during their weekly market days, only one buyer comes to buy in their market.
Kome lamented that since the buyer has no competitor, they are forced to sell at the dictates of the buyer. “Can you imagine that we sell 20 bunches of plantain for FCFA 5000 despite the increase in farm inputs? We are suffocating.” The farmer cried.
Ndode pleaded that more buyers should penetrate their village so that there can be competition and for the prices to increase. “We suffer a lot in our plantain farms. The council should grade our roads for more buyers to come in and rescue us from this dilemma.” He added.
A plantain buyer who spoke to The Ultimate on basis of anonymity disclosed that the objective of any business is to maximize profit and minimize lost. She refused allegations of exploiting farmers. She said the devastated nature of the road to Mbwogmut I forced them to buy at a price where they are able to cover cost. The buyer said once roads are fine, they will buy plantain at a very comfortable price from farmers.
By Olive Ejang
