Concern over Nigeria’s rising fertilizer and agrochemical costs has grown among farmers in the Federal Capital Territory’s (FCT) Bwari Area Council.
The growing expenses, according to the farmers, are concerning, especially given the country’s continuous efforts to ensure food security.
They pointed out that agricultural output is starting to be severely hampered by the ongoing increase in the cost of industrial fertilizers, particularly for small-scale farmers in rural areas.
A farmer from Bwari’s Baran-goni hamlet named Mr. Phillip Akuso observed a sharp increase in fertilizer costs. He claims that the price of a bag of Golden Urea, also known as NPK, has increased to about ₦47,000 from between ₦35,000 and ₦37,000 in 2024.
He added, “NPK 20.10.10 is still relatively cheaper at ₦25,000, but other higher-grade options are selling for ₦47,000 or more. Prices have jumped from ₦20,000 in 2023 to current levels,it’s been a yearly increase.
“Agrochemicals and pesticides have also become far more expensive, yet there’s still an expectation for us to increase output. It’s frustrating.”
The financial strain on smallholder farmers was highlighted by Akuso, who noted, “The costs are becoming unsustainable. Imagine not being able to sell a bag of maize and afford a single bag of fertilizer. Fertilizer now costs more than what we earn per unit crop, yet it’s essential for scaling production.”
Akuso stressed that fuel is essential to the production of industrial fertilizers and linked the ongoing increase in fertilizer costs to the rising cost of fuel.
He urged the government and pertinent parties to respond by lowering the cost of necessary agricultural inputs for farmers nationwide.
Similarly, a Sabon-Gari farmer named Mr. Bawah Malik voiced his worries about the skyrocketing price of agricultural inputs, particularly fertilizers, despite their critical role in increasing crop yields.
He pointed out that many farmers in his region have started using organic alternatives, such as chicken and cow dung, to augment their input requirements because industrial fertilizers are so expensive.
“At the moment, a bag of poultry manure sells for between ₦5,000 and ₦6,000. However, demand is high, so it’s necessary to book in advance. Not everyone can afford NPK or Urea anymore,” Malik explained.
He added, “If your land needs up to 20 bags of chemical fertilizer and you can’t cover the cost, your only choice might be to apply organic manure on part of the field.”
Malik called on all tiers of government officials to keep giving free or heavily discounted inputs to local farmers. In order to assist small-scale farmers in obtaining the goods they want and boosting their output, he also suggested the use of low-interest loans.
Mr. Tanimu Ibrahim, an expert in agriculture, added that both chemical and organic fertilizers had special benefits.
According to him, organic manure provides a wide range of nutrients, albeit in lesser amounts, which are progressively released as the material decomposes. Industrial fertilizers, on the other hand, provide particular nutrients in concentrated quantities that plants can easily absorb.
“Organic manure enhances soil structure, improves water retention, promotes beneficial microbes, and contributes to long-term soil health.
“However, chemical fertilizers deliver immediate nutrient boosts but don’t improve the soil’s physical condition,” he said.
He issued a warning that long-term overuse of chemical fertilizers may harm soil health by upsetting the natural equilibrium of beneficial species, which would ultimately lower soil yield.
Ibrahim also pointed out the trade-off between the two types: chemical fertilizers are far more expensive but easier to apply, while organic manure is more economical but frequently requires more labor.
In his closing remarks, he urged those involved in agriculture to intensify their efforts to address the issues that farmers face and to emphasize agriculture’s role as a catalyst for national growth.