Senate Urges Emergency Support For Farmers Amid Collapse Of Produce Prices

The Senate has asked the Federal Government to introduce urgent measures to protect Nigerian farmers from the impact of falling agricultural produce prices and rising production costs.

This was part of resolutions during plenary following a motion sponsored by Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), highlighting the growing challenges facing local farmers amid recent government policies aimed at reducing food prices nationwide.

He commended the Federal Government for easing the burden on consumers through waivers and special approvals for large-scale food imports, a move that has helped lower food prices and provided relief to many Nigerians.

He, however, noted that the same policy has inadvertently created severe difficulties for local farmers.

According to the motion, while farm-gate prices for agricultural produce have continued to decline, the cost of critical inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and insecticides remains extremely high.

This imbalance, according to him, has distorted agricultural markets and triggered massive post-harvest losses, as farmers struggle to sell their produce at fair or profitable prices.

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The Senate, therefore, asked the Federal Government to design and implement a special emergency intervention package aimed at cushioning farmers affected by the collapse in farm-gate prices.

The upper chamber also urged government to introduce broad-based subsidies for fertilisers and other essential agricultural inputs to ease the burden on farmers.

Additionally, the lawmakers resolved to advise state governors to prioritise support for local farmers by encouraging investments in agriculture and taking deliberate steps to curb post-harvest losses.

During plenary, the upper chamber also directed the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to investigate widespread rumors on social media alleging the collapse and, in some cases, death of the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio.

The resolution followed a point of order raised under order 42 by Senator Titus Zam, who expressed concern over the reports that had circulated within the last 48 hours.

Senator Zam described the rumours as alarming and unacceptable, noting that the Senate President is the nation’s number three citizen and should not be subjected to such misinformation.

Responding to the matter, the Senate President acknowledged the difficulty of controlling social media narratives, stating that people cannot be prevented from writing what he described as ‘garbage in, garbage out’.

He, however, asked whether it was the wish of the Senate that the issue be referred to the National Security Adviser for investigation.

The proposal was subsequently put to a voice vote and adopted by the upper chamber, resolving that the National Security Adviser investigate the source and intent of the rumours surrounding the alleged collapse of the Senate President.