How our businesses collapsed – Grain dealers, farmers

Nigerian farmers and grain dealers are experiencing hardship due to the losses they have suffered as a result of a steady crash in the prices agricultural produce.

According to grain merchants and dealers, the decline in produce prices has forced commercial activities to collapse.

Danladi S. Yakubu, a grain merchant at the grain market, Saminaka in Kaduna State, said that whereas farm produce was easily sold last year, it is not the case this year.

He said that due to the unprofitable market and the fact that “companies are not buying agricultural produce,” both buyers and sellers are concerned this year, noting, “This is the state of affairs.

“A farmer is in a difficult situation because he bought a bag of fertiliser at more than N50,000 and farmed, but sold a bag of maize at less than N20,000.  And this year, the farmers did not get a good harvest because those who were getting 30 bags of maize found that it was difficult to get even 15 bags last year. The government has to look into this matter.”

According to Alhaji Zubairu Musa, another grain merchant, the patronage for agricultural items is now weak due to drop in trading activities.

He said farmers were expecting things to change, but the situation, with reference to crop prices, remained unchanged.

Alhaji Safiyanu Garba Danjaba, a dealer, said buyers were unwilling to purchase produce at the market, in contrast to the previous season when they went to visit farmers at their homes.

He cautioned that this year’s agricultural activities could fail if the government did not help the farmers.

Alhaji Sa’idu Ibrahim Ramin Kura, the chairman of Al-Hassanaan Enterprises Supply Company in Lere Local Government, Kaduna State, said there was no trading in agricultural items this year since companies were yet to step in to purchase agricultural produce.

He alleged that this year, companies now determine the prices of agricultural produce, adding, “If you send the goods to them, it takes a longer time. The produce business is not going well currently.

“Agriculture and the trade in agricultural goods have, in fact, completely collapsed in this nation. I am thus urging the government to step in. Farming will not be able to continue if the government does not support it,” he said.

According to Sabi’u Abdu Idris, a grain merchant from Kano State, things got so terrible last year, such that individuals found themselves in challenging circumstances.

“Everyone is aware of the dire situation facing farmers. Although crop prices have dropped by about 70 per cent, the cost of all inputs has remained unchanged. I mentioned this because those who have experienced significant losses quit farming since the losses are substantial. Many people started farming because they thought it would be profitable, but later, they experienced losses,” he said.

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