Farmers in the Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory have raised alarm over the soaring prices of fertilizers and agro-chemicals, warning that the trend could cripple crop production and worsen food insecurity.
Once sold at between ₦35,000 and ₦37,000, popular fertilizers such as Golden Urea and NPK now retail for about ₦47,000 per bag. The only relatively affordable option, NPK 20-10-10, still goes for around ₦25,000. Agro-chemicals, including pesticides and herbicides, have also recorded sharp price hikes.
Farmers lament that the input costs have now outpaced the value of their harvests, with fertilizer costing more than a bag of maize. “It is becoming increasingly difficult to make farming profitable. We spend more on inputs than we can earn from sales,” one farmer said.
The sharp increases are largely attributed to rising fuel prices, a key factor in fertilizer production and distribution. As a result, many smallholder farmers are turning to organic alternatives such as poultry and cow dung, which sell for between ₦5,000 and ₦6,000 per bag. However, the high demand for manure means farmers often have to pre-book supplies, and most can only apply it to a fraction of their farmland.
Agricultural experts caution that while organic manure helps improve long-term soil fertility, it cannot immediately match the nutrient concentration and ease of application offered by industrial fertilizers. They warn that without urgent intervention, reduced use of fertilizers could significantly lower yields.
Farmers are therefore appealing to the government for subsidies, affordable credit, and direct support to cushion the impact of the crisis and sustain food production in the FCT.