Farmers in Distress As Fertiliser Price Soars

The escalating costs of crucial agricultural inputs such as fertiliser, seeds, and agrochemicals in Nigeria have heightened concern among farming communities
nationwide.

The cost of fertiliser, which is increasing, could further threaten food supply as the rainy season approaches.

In the last few months, prices of goods and services have continued to spiral out of control, making them unaffordable for a large number of Nigerians.

“The agricultural inputs, such as fertiliser, seeds, and agrochemicals, are indispensable for crop production. While its scarcity could potentially compromise the upcoming wet season farming.”

Wet season farming is expected to commence in the next two months in some regions of the nation.

At the moment, some dry season farmers are grappling with the rising cost of the fertiliser brands, which right now hit N43,000 and may further rise in the coming months.

The recent surge in the market price of fertiliser has become a source of concern to small-scale farmers in Katsina State as many vegetable farmers have suspended their production for lack of takeoff capital.

Similarly, prices of fertilisers have skyrocketed in Niger State as farmers begin purchases ahead of the forthcoming rainy season.

Irrigation farmers in Taraba State are also facing serious problems now.

Yahaya Mafindi, a large-scale farmer, said “the cost of fertiliser has increased production costs.”

Farmers are also expressing concerns about how prices are just increasing.

A significant portion of the agricultural community in the state is made up of small-scale farmers who operate on tight budgets and rely on subsistence production for survival.

This development, according to the farmers, has forced them to make difficult decisions, such as reducing the area of land they cultivate or switching to less fertiliser-demanding crops, such as legumes.

Dailytrust/Shakirat Sadiq