Bauchi: Some farmers in Bauchi have expressed concern over the high cost of fertilisers this cropping season. The trend has forced most farmers to abandon cultivation of maize and rice in favor of crops that require minimal or no fertiliser application.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, a cross-section of the farmers in Bauchi has called for proactive measures to guard against a potential food crisis in the country. A market survey in Bauchi Central and Muda Lawal Markets revealed that fertiliser prices have increased by about 15 percent since the commencement of the cropping season. A 50-kilogramme bag of the NPK brand of fertilisers now sells between N30,000 and N60,000, compared to N23,000 to N50,000 at the beginning of the season. The Urea brand is priced between N47,000 and N50,000, up from its previous range of N35,000, depending on quality.
Mr. Audu Simon, a maize grower, stated that many farmers are opting for crops requiring less or no fertiliser, such as millet, sorghum, soybean, groundnut, and beans. He mentioned that growing rice and maize is no longer viable due to the high fertiliser prices. “We sold our produce at a loss last season, and we can’t afford fertiliser prices now,” he said.
Hajiya Marka Abass, spokesperson for the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria (SWOFON), noted that the price hike has led most women farmers to shift from maize and rice cultivation to vegetable production. She attributed the increase in fertiliser prices to its lack of availability, despite various interventions by state and federal governments.
Usman Umar, a member of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), advocated for urgent measures to regulate fertiliser prices, highlighting the potential severe implications on national food security.
Dr. Aliyu Gital, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, stated that the Bauchi Fertiliser Blending Company has increased its production capacity to meet the growing demand and enhance farmer access to the commodity.
