Bauchi farmers struggle with rising fertiliser prices

Farmers in Bauchi State have expressed serious concerns about the sharp increase in fertiliser prices during this year’s planting season

Many say they have been forced to stop cultivating rice and maize due to the high cost and are now turning to crops that need little or no fertiliser.

Several farmers in Bauchi spoke out, warning that if urgent steps are not taken, the country could face a serious food crisis. A market survey at Bauchi Central and Muda Lawal markets shows that fertiliser prices have risen by roughly 15% since the season began.

Currently, a 50kg bag of NPK fertiliser is selling between N30,000 and N60,000, compared to N23,000 to N50,000 at the beginning of the season. The price of urea has also jumped from N35,000 to between N47,000 and N50,000, depending on the quality.

Mr. Audu Simon, a maize farmer, said that the increased costs have made it unprofitable to grow fertiliser-intensive crops like rice and maize. As a result, many are switching to millet, sorghum, soybeans, groundnuts, and beans. "We sold our produce at a loss last season, and we can’t afford fertiliser prices now," he said. 

Marka Abass, the spokesperson for the Small Scale Women Farmers Organisation of Nigeria, stated that many women farmers are abandoning rice and maize in favour of growing vegetables, which are less dependent on fertiliser. She believes the price hike is due to low supply despite government intervention efforts."The trend had forced most women farmers to abandon maize and rice cultivation and embrace vegetable production," said Abass. 

Usman Umar, a representative of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria, urged both the state and federal governments to take immediate action to stabilise fertiliser prices. He warned that if left unchecked, the high prices could severely affect national food security. "We need urgent intervention. If this continues, its implications on national food security will be severe," said  Umar.

Meanwhile, Aliyu Gital, Bauchi State Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Security, said the Bauchi Fertiliser Blending Company has scaled up its production to meet the rising demand and help improve farmers’ access to fertiliser.