Rising cost of inputs threatens food production in FCT
By Veronica Dariya
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.
The stakeholders expressed their concerns in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) 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.
“If farmers cannot afford inputs for better yields, harvests will reduce and food prices will continue to rise, because not every farmer can afford these inputs for large farms at these high costs.
“Government at all levels must stand up and support farmers with subsidised inputs before the next planting season if we really want to achieve the food sufficiency goal we are striving towards,” he said.
Audu also advocated for stronger security networks that would allow farmers in hinterland communities the freedom to cultivate their lands in peace without fear of bandits and kidnappers.
This, he noted, was another factor threatening production and must be addressed alongside other challenges to boost the agriculture sector.
He, however, expressed optimism that he would record a bountiful harvest at the end of the season, irrespective of the situation.
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.
“We are doing our best, but production is lower than expected.
“The high cost of inputs is affecting our income and the quantity of food we produce. Government does not seem to be bringing succour to the situation, yet we hope to boost production in the near future.
“If we do not prioritise this sector, we might experience the worst in the coming years.
“The cost of production and food prices keep soaring, and Nigerians are not finding it easy. The time to act is now,” she said.
Another farmer, Mr David Shuaibu from Igu community, said some farmers had abandoned farming entirely because they could no longer finance cultivation and support their families at the same time.
Shuaibu said this was not encouraging at all, because farming, he noted, was the oldest occupation that sustained livelihoods.
He appealed to government to strengthen agricultural support programmes in rural communities to not only encourage food production, but also support livelihoods that do not depend on white-collar jobs.
Mr Ibrahim Musa, a fertiliser dealer in Zamayi Market, Bwari, said the cost of major farm inputs had risen significantly in 2026, compared to previous farming seasons.
According to him, many farmers now buy fertilisers in smaller quantities because they can no longer afford the recommended application rates.
“Some farmers who usually buy 20 or 30 bags now settle for five or 10 bags.
Others simply buy in mudus or walk away after hearing the prices.
“Our sales have dropped because the products are expensive and many customers lack purchasing power,” he said.
Another supplier, Mrs. Deborah Mai-Kasuwa, said transportation costs and inflation had contributed to the increase in prices.She noted that the rising cost of doing business had also affected distributors and retailers.”We also face challenges in restocking because suppliers keep increasing prices. The situation is difficult for both sellers and farmers,” she said.
Meanwhile, Mr Olatunbosun Akinsoye, an agricultural expert in the area, said affordable access to farm inputs remained critical to improving productivity, enhancing food security and reducing poverty among rural farmers.
Akinsoye, a retiree, urged relevant authorities to ensure the timely distribution of subsidised fertilisers and quality seeds to farmers in communities, while also providing them with easier access to agricultural loans and extension services.
He added that sustained intervention would help improve productivity, increase food availability and cushion the effects of rising production costs on farmers and consumers alike. (NAN)
Edited by Dorcas Jonah