Kabir Ibrahim, President of the All Farmers Association, has expressed growing concern over the skyrocketing costs of fertilizers in Nigeria, which he attributes to the current economic conditions and the depreciating value of the naira. Ibrahim has called for a return to the fertilizer policies of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, citing their effectiveness in making fertilizers more affordable for farmers.
In an interview with Arise TV on Tuesday, Ibrahim highlighted the benefits of the Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI) introduced under Buhari’s presidency. He noted that from 2017 to 2020, farmers enjoyed significantly lower fertilizer prices due to the initiative. Ibrahim described a time when fertilizers were as readily available as Coca-Cola, with prices initially set at ₦5,500 per bag, and later reduced to ₦5,000 following an additional subsidy.
However, Ibrahim lamented that since 2021, farmers have faced severe difficulties in affording fertilizers. He attributed the increased costs to the decline in the value of the naira and the shift from importing fertilizers at discounted rates from Morocco to purchasing them at prevailing market prices. This change, coupled with additional costs for blenders, has exacerbated the financial burden on farmers.
The President of the All Farmers Association also pointed out the impact of recent flooding, which has further strained farmers by washing away fertilizers and damaging crops. He urged the federal government to restore the fertilizer subsidy to help reduce costs and support affordable food production.
Ibrahim emphasized that the return of the subsidy would alleviate some of the financial pressures on farmers and reduce consumer complaints about food prices. He called for a revival of the PFI’s benefits, allowing farmers across Nigeria to purchase fertilizers at affordable rates similar to those enjoyed during Buhari’s tenure.
He concluded by stressing the need for affordable fertilizers and other agricultural inputs, such as insecticides and herbicides, to support the farming community and ensure sustainable food production.