Nigerian Senate Calls for Urgent Support to Farmers Amidst Price Crash

The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to intervene in the sharp drop in prices of agricultural produce, warning that the situation could threaten millions of livelihoods and worsen the country’s fragile food security. The call was made after the adoption of a motion sponsored by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje, which highlighted the growing imbalance between falling farm-gate prices and the persistently high cost of agricultural inputs .

According to Senator Goje, the prices of farm produce have been going down, while the cost of farm inputs, especially fertilizers, pesticides, and insecticides, has remained extremely high. This has placed enormous pressure on farmers’ earnings and sustainability, gravely threatening the livelihood of millions of smallholder farmers who constitute the backbone of Nigeria’s food production system .

The Senate emphasized the need for policies that balance food affordability for consumers with sustainable incomes for farmers. Senator Aliyu Wamakko stressed that high input costs must be urgently addressed to boost production. The lawmakers noted that over 60% of Nigerians depend on agriculture for their livelihoods, making it essential to support farmers .

The Senate commended the Federal Government for bringing down the cost of foodstuffs across the country by granting waivers and special permissions for large-scale importation of food products. However, lawmakers observed that the same policy had created unintended consequences for local farmers. To address this, the Senate recommended the introduction of broad-based agricultural input subsidies, particularly for fertilizers and other farm inputs, and prioritized investment in strategic agricultural infrastructure .

To support farmers and ensure food security, the government needs to implement policies that address the high cost of farm inputs, provide subsidies, and invest in agricultural infrastructure. The Senate’s resolution highlights the need for effective coordination between government agencies, state governments, commodity boards, agricultural cooperatives, and other stakeholders to ensure fair pricing, robust storage facilities, efficient transportation systems, and improved market linkages .