Senate seeks fertiliser, agric input subsidies for farmers

The Senate on Tuesday urged the federal, state and local governments to urgently roll out fertiliser and agricultural input subsidies and rehabilitate silos nationwide to stabilise food prices, protect farmers and curb worsening food insecurity.

The call followed a motion sponsored by Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), a former governor of Gombe State, who decried the widening gap between falling farm-gate prices and persistently high input costs.

He warned that failure to address the imbalance would waste farmers’ labour and resources and exacerbate insecurity as rural livelihoods collapse.

Goje stressed the need for coordinated action involving federal and state governments, relevant ministries, departments and agencies, commodity boards, cooperatives and the private sector to stabilise markets and ensure fair pricing.

Contributing, Senator Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North) acknowledged efforts to reduce food prices but described the cost of farm inputs as “alarming,” urging decisive intervention to encourage increased production.

Senator Mohammed Dandutse (Katsina South) said fertiliser now sells for over N60,000 per bag while maize goes for less than N20,000, a situation he said is devastating for farmers and fuels insecurity.

Senator Sunday Karimi (Kogi West) cautioned that while farmers must be protected, food affordability for consumers should also be ensured.

Presiding over plenary, Senate President Godswill Akpabio said the proposed measures would stabilise markets, support farmers and strengthen national food security.

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