The Village Head of Apawa in Lau Local Government Council, Chief Bethuel Sannu, has called on governments at all levels to urgently address the rising cost of agricultural inputs, which he says is threatening the livelihood of smallholder farmers in rural communities.
The monarch, who made the call on Sunday in his domain, expressed concern over the growing challenges faced by farmers, particularly the sharp contrast between the high cost of inputs during the planting season and the current drop in prices of farm produce.
“While the recent decline in the prices of farm produce may benefit consumers, it has left many farmers with heavy financial losses,” the traditional ruler said.
He noted that essential agricultural inputs such as fertilizers, insecticides, chemicals, and seeds were sold at high prices earlier in the year, making it difficult for grassroots farmers to operate profitably.
“Government policies that help reduce the prices of farm commodities are commendable. But they must be complemented with targeted interventions to make farm inputs more affordable,” the monarch appealed.
He recommended that governments, particularly through the Ministry of Agriculture, consider procuring and distributing subsidized inputs to farmers in a timely manner, to avoid delays in cultivation and reduce production costs.
Chief Sannu warned that without swift action, many small-scale farmers could be forced out of agriculture altogether, exacerbating food insecurity and economic hardship in rural communities.
He urged both federal and state governments to strengthen engagement with local farmers in Taraba State to ensure policies reflect the realities on the ground.
