Yesterday, stakeholders urged the federal government to enact laws and offer subsidies to smallholder farmers in order to promote national food security and nutrition.

During the Potato Farmers Association of Nigeria’s (POFAN) annual stakeholders’ forum and farmers training workshop in Abuja, they spoke on behalf of the organization and pointed out that the nation’s insecurity problem was severely harming smallholder farmers, leading to widespread hunger and hardship in communities at all levels.

Daniel Okafor, the president of POFAN, urged the government to help farmers in whatever way it can to alleviate these difficulties.

Okafor pointed out that the government still gives farmers subsidies even in wealthy nations where there is enough food. “Farmers that get subsidies are able to sell their produce at affordable prices,” he explained.

“This year’s budget is not reaching the right people,” he added. Nigerians have an issue since those who ought to gain are not getting assistance.

“A bag of fertiliser now costs farmers N46,000, and this high production cost hinders progress in food production, transportation, fuel prices, and exchange rates,” he continued, speaking about market and economic trends. If the government is not carrying out its policies successfully, it should be held accountable.

“The suffering of Nigerian farmers, particularly at the local level, is something we want the government to take seriously,” he stated.

“The rural communities are suffering,” Okafor said, highlighting the need for government handouts for farmers. This nation’s farmers require handouts.

“We have repeatedly sent ideas to government agencies, but we have not received a response. Doing the right thing is the only way this nation can prosper.

“You cannot tell me that the funds designated for Nigerians are being used elsewhere,” he continued. He said, “The budget is there, but the farmers are getting nothing.”

Crop productivity depends on soil fertility, according to Vincent Ado Tenebe, a professor of agriculture and former vice chancellor of the National Open University.

“Crowds produce more when the soil is fertilized, ensuring food production.” Farmers can prosper thanks to high-yield crops, which guarantee food security.

Tenebe advised farmers to plan their operations and utilize enough fertilizer to produce crops. Tenebe also pointed out that fertilizer and tractor rental prices for a single acre might be high, up to N50,000.

Farmers are forced to boost prices in order to recoup their costs due to high production costs. Food costs can be kept reasonable if the government offers subsidies, he stated.

“We implore the government to enact laws and provide subsidies that will ensure our smallholder farmers’ success.”