Farmers across the country have called on the Federal Government (FG) to sustain the importation of fertiliser raw materials to ensure steady supply and affordability for local producers and end-users.

The appeal comes amid concerns that reducing imports prematurely could trigger shortages, disrupt blending operations, and push fertiliser prices beyond the reach of smallholder farmers.

Under the Presidential Fertiliser Initiative (PFI), Nigeria has imported about 560,000 metric tonnes of fertiliser inputs in 2025, a move credited with stabilising the market and keeping blending plants operational. Several consignments of raw materials have continued to arrive at Nigerian ports to feed local production lines.

Stakeholders, however, warn that ongoing restructuring of the PFI must be carefully managed. They argue that while government’s long-term plan to boost local production is laudable, Nigeria is not yet fully self-sufficient in raw material supply. Abrupt policy changes, they caution, could undermine food production targets and increase the cost of farming.

“What farmers need now is consistency. Until local manufacturers can meet demand entirely, the government should not cut back on importation,” one stakeholder said.

Experts emphasise that fertiliser remains a critical input for crop yield improvement and food security. Any disruption in availability, they note, could jeopardise Nigeria’s drive towards self-sufficiency in food production.

The FG has assured that ongoing imports will continue in the short term, with a gradual scale-down expected as domestic capacity expands.