The President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Kabir Ibrahim, has lamented that Nigerian farmers can no longer afford fertilizers due to their exorbitant costs.
In a recent interview, Ibrahim highlighted the significant benefits farmers enjoyed under the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) introduced by former President Muhammadu Buhari between 2017 and 2020.
The Buhari Era: Affordable Fertilizers
During the Buhari administration, the PFI made fertilizers widely available and affordable for farmers. “Between 2017 and 2020, we received fertilizer like Coca-Cola. It was all over the place. The price was good. It was the first ₦5,500. After the pandemic, a further subsidy of ₦500 was given and we were buying it at ₦5,000,” Ibrahim explained.
Current Challenges
However, since 2021, the situation has drastically changed. The withdrawal of subsidies and the devaluation of the naira have led to a sharp increase in fertilizer prices. “From 2021 to date, it’s been a problem. The farmers cannot afford it,” Ibrahim stated. The cost of fertilizers has risen to over ₦20,000, making it unaffordable for most farmers.
Impact of Currency Devaluation and Import Costs
Ibrahim attributed the high cost of fertilizers to the devaluation of the naira and the reliance on imported components. “The value of our currency went down and most of these things are imported. We had a pact with Morocco. We were getting them at a very reasonable price and of course they were giving discounts. I think our government appealed to them and then after that, we began to import from other places at the prevailing market rates,” he explained.
Calls for Subsidies and Government Support
Ibrahim urged the federal government to reinstate the fertilizer subsidies to help farmers purchase fertilizers at affordable rates. He emphasized that this would not only benefit farmers but also lead to cheaper food prices for consumers. “We want the restoration of what we enjoyed between 2017 and 2020. Let the subsidy be. They really go down to the end users. We want to be able to buy fertilizer all over Nigeria, like Coca-Cola, and it should be affordable to us,” he said.
Additional Challenges: Climate Change and Security
Besides the issue of fertilizer costs, farmers are also facing challenges from climate change, particularly flooding, which affects the efficacy of the fertilizers used. Ibrahim also highlighted the need for security measures to protect farmers from attacks, which have been a significant issue in recent times.
In summary, Nigerian farmers are calling for the reinstatement of fertilizer subsidies to revive the affordability and accessibility of fertilizers, a policy that was highly successful during the Buhari administration. This, they believe, will help in achieving food security and reducing the financial burden on both farmers and consumers.
