The Senate, on Tuesday, passed resolutions urging the Federal Government to subsidise fertilisers and revive commodity boards to stabilise agricultural markets and shield millions of Nigerian farmers from collapsing produce prices amid rising input costs.
The move followed the consideration of a motion by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), which highlighted the growing gap between falling farm-gate prices and persistently high costs of inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides and insecticides.
Titled ‘The need to address the falling prices of agricultural produce in relation to the very high cost of farm inputs: A big problem to the livelihood of millions of Nigerian farmers,’ the motion noted that while food prices have eased nationwide, farmers continue to face mounting pressure.
Speaking during the debate, Goje commended the government for measures that eased consumer prices through import waivers and special permissions for large-scale food importation. However, he warned that these policies had inadvertently depressed prices for local produce, squeezing farmers’ margins and threatening livelihoods.
He further noted that the distortion has led to massive post-harvest losses, with farmers unable to sell their produce at profitable rates, resulting in spoilage, income erosion, and setbacks for rural economies.
Senators echoed the concerns, stressing that prolonged declines in farm-gate prices could discourage farmers from investing in future planting seasons, posing risks to domestic food production, rural economic activity, and national food security. They also warned that rising dependence on imported food could undermine Nigeria’s food sovereignty, weaken local value chains, distort markets, and expose the economy to global price volatility.
In response, the Senate approved key measures urging the government to roll out an emergency intervention package to cushion farmers against current price collapses. Lawmakers also called for the establishment of benchmark minimum prices for major commodities and a guaranteed off-take programme, whereby public agencies would purchase produce at agreed rates to stabilise the market.
The resolutions also emphasised reviving commodity boards to prevent farmers from being forced to sell at ruinous prices. Senators further advocated increased investment in storage facilities, rural roads, processing centres, and irrigation systems to reduce post-harvest losses and improve profitability.
Enhanced coordination among ministries, state governments, commodity boards, cooperatives, and stakeholders was also recommended to ensure fair pricing, efficient transport, and improved market linkages. Additionally, lawmakers urged a review of the current import waiver and special permit regime to allow Nigerian produce to compete fairly with imported goods while safeguarding local producers.