The Senate is pushing for support for farmers affected by the recent crash in farm produce prices. Senator Abdullahi Adamu highlights that the rising cost of fertiliser and other inputs is making farming unprofitable, threatening Nigeria’s food security.
Key Challenges Faced by Farmers:
– _High Input Costs: Fertiliser prices range from ₦45,000 to ₦60,000, while farm-gate prices are low.
– Poor Purchasing Power: Consumers lack buying power despite lower prices.
– Inadequate Storage: Lack of storage facilities forces distress sales.
Government Initiatives:
– ₦132 billion allocated to support farmers in 2025 budget.
– National Agricultural Development Fund established to drive agricultural growth.
– National Agribusiness Policy Mechanism launched to stabilise food prices.
Calls for Action:
– Increase agricultural funding to close yield gaps.
– Implement price stabilisation mechanisms.
– Provide subsidies for inputs and storage facilities.
