Abuja: Some farmers and input suppliers in Bwari Area Council, FCT, have raised concerns over rising costs, warning that they threaten food production and farmers’ livelihoods. According to News Agency of Nigeria, the stakeholders expressed their concerns in separate interviews on Tuesday in Abuja. They said the constant increase in the prices of fertilisers, improved seeds, agrochemicals, and other essential inputs had forced many farmers to reduce the sizes of their farmlands under cultivation. The farmers warned that if the situation persisted, it could worsen food shortages and push food prices beyond the reach of many households.
Mr. Samuel Audu, a farmer in Ushafa community, said he was forced to reduce the size of his farmland because he could not afford enough fertiliser and improved seeds. According to Audu, many smallholder farmers were struggling to remain in business amid rising production costs. ‘This year, a bag of fertiliser costs between N48,000 and N55,000, while herbicides and pesticides range between N3,000 and N4,000 per litre, depending on the container,’ he said. Audu urged the government to support farmers with subsidised inputs before the next planting season to achieve food sufficiency. He also advocated for stronger security networks to allow farmers to cultivate their lands without fear of bandits and kidnappers.
Similarly, Mrs. Ruth Yakubu, a vegetable farmer in the area, said she had resorted to using organic manure to supplement chemical fertilisers because of the high prices of the latter. Although Yakubu described the alternative as helpful, she added that it could not fully replace inorganic fertilisers needed for optimal yields. She expressed concern over the high cost of inputs affecting income and production and called for government intervention to prioritise the agricultural sector.
Another farmer, Mr. David Shuaibu from Igu community, mentioned that some farmers had abandoned farming entirely due to financial constraints. Shuaibu emphasized the importance of farming as a livelihood and urged the government to strengthen agricultural support programmes in rural communities. Mr. Ibrahim Musa, a fertiliser dealer in Zamayi Market, Bwari, noted that the cost of major farm inputs had risen significantly in 2026, leading to reduced sales and purchasing power among farmers.
Mrs. Deborah Mai-Kasuwa, another supplier, attributed the price hikes to transportation costs and inflation, which have affected both sellers and farmers. Meanwhile, Mr. Olatunbosun Akinsoye, an agricultural expert, emphasized the importance of affordable access to farm inputs to improve productivity and enhance food security. He urged authorities to ensure the timely distribution of subsidised fertilisers, quality seeds, and access to agricultural loans and extension services for farmers.