By Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse
Farmers in Jigawa State have raised concerns over the soaring cost of fertilizer and other agricultural inputs, warning that the situation poses a serious threat to the Federal Government’s National Policy on Food Security.
Investigations by National Update revealed that both small- and large-scale farmers are increasingly worried about the ongoing wet season farming, fearing poor yields or total crop failure due to the unaffordable cost of essential inputs.
Some farmers who spoke with National Update expressed dismay not only at the exorbitant prices of fertilizers, herbicides, and fuel but also at the poor market returns and losses recorded during the last dry season.
One of the affected farmers, Malam Ibra Bala Ringim, said he may not return to the farm this season due to financial losses and the high cost of inputs.
“I may not go back to the farm because of the high cost of fertilizer and the loss I recorded during dry season farming,” he said. “I joined farming a few years ago after being attracted by government support and good market prices, but now I’ve sold all my produce and other assets after suffering losses due to the rising cost of fuel and poor market prices for my rice and wheat.”
He questioned how he could afford to participate in the rainy season farming with the current input prices.
Malam Musa Ummaru, a farmer from Kafingana village, echoed similar concerns. He warned that the high cost of inputs could lead to a major setback for food production in the state unless urgent intervention is made.
“Fertilizer we used to buy at ₦40,000 is now ₦60,000. The one that cost ₦35,000 is now sold for over ₦45,000,” he said. “Some farmers have already abandoned farming plans this season. Without timely government intervention, many others will suffer losses.”
He appealed to Governor Umar Namadi to urgently provide input support to farmers to prevent a breakdown in food production.
The farmers also urged the state government to adopt the transparent distribution methods previously used under the Fadama III programme, which they said ensured that inputs reached genuine grassroots farmers.
“Only through the Fadama III office were we able to get inputs directly from government support without any middlemen or hindrance,” said another farmer, Auwalu Kaci.
They stressed that timely and equitable distribution of agricultural inputs is essential not only for boosting food production in Jigawa but also for supporting the national agenda on food security.