Senate Urges Emergency Aid for Farmers Facing Produce Price Crash

News in Brief

-The Senate adopted a motion urging federal emergency aid for farmers hit by crashing produce prices and high input costs from import policies.

-Lawmakers debated balancing cheap food for consumers with farmer incentives amid insecurity and market distortions.

Nigeria's Senate has called on the federal government to intervene in the soaring input costs that farmers in the country are facing. The worrying trend coincides with crashing produce prices, denying them adequate income.

Following a motion sponsored by Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), during Tuesday's plenary, the Senate asked the federal government to cut fertiliser prices to protect farmers’ livelihoods. 

The debate highlighted how government import waivers, while easing food inflation, have crushed local market prices of food, creating a new and serious challenge for local farmers.

Motion Sparks Heated Debate on Farmer Woes

Leading the debate, Senator Goje praised federal efforts to slash food prices through large-scale imports, but warned of the backlash on local growers. 

"While prices of farm produce have been going down, those of farm inputs like fertilisers, pesticides, and insecticides have remained extremely high," he stated, pointing to massive post-harvest losses, spoilage, and income loss in rural communities as farmers struggle to sell their produce at profitable prices.

He stressed that without action, farmers might skip the next planting season, risking rural stagnation and deeper food insecurity for young entrepreneurs, students, and stakeholders eyeing agric ventures.

“The high cost of fertilisers and other inputs needed to boost the agriculture sector is alarming; it needs to be addressed,” Senator Aliyu Wamakko, representing Sokoto North, said in support of the motion as he calls on the FG to provide aid to the struggling farmers.

He emphasised the need for policies that would balance affordable food for consumers and sustainable livelihoods for farmers in return for their efforts, and to encourage more production.

Timely Discussion

Senator Dandutse Mohammed, representing Katsina South, described the motion as timely, noting that over 60% of Nigerians depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. He lamented the high price of fertiliser, which had reportedly risen above ₦60,000 per bag. Contrasting this with falling produce prices, he warned that if the food importation is left unchecked and there is no subsidy for input, this will worsen the fate of farmers.

Contributing to the debate, Senator Victor Umeh from Anambra Central noted that while temporary border relaxation during periods of scarcity might be necessary, he insisted that farmers must be supported with affordable inputs and stable commodity pricing to sustain production.

He also warned of the long-term effects of Nigeria’s dependence on imported food and the lack of empowerment for local farmers.

“Nigeria’s growing dependence on imported food commodities will weaken national food sovereignty, undermine domestic value chain, distort local markets as well as discourage the development of agro-processing industries, thereby exposing the national economy to global price volatility and foreign exchange pressures,” the Senate noted.

However, Senator Olajide Ipinsagba, representing Ondo North, pushed for holistic fixes beyond price controls. He argued for a regulatory framework that addresses prices of all essential commodities, warning that selective interventions could create economic imbalances.

“Prices have to do with supply and demand,” he said, adding that factors such as fuel costs and transportation expenses must also be addressed to achieve sustainable price stability

Diverse Voices Demand Balanced Solutions

Senator Ede Dafinone opposed new subsidies, fearing market distortions, such as the past fuel subsidy problems inherited by President Tinubu’s administration. 

“I support the move to sustain our farmers, but I am wary of introducing a fresh subsidy at this point in our administration,” he said.

Senator Victor Umeh defended imports as a scarcity relief for ordinary Nigerians, advocating input aid, security, and production boosts over price regulation.

Senator Sani Musa targeted fertiliser scams by middlemen, revealing reforms for cheaper imports and local production, as well as tractor access to boost yields. "Better inputs mean higher profits next harvest," he predicted, a boon for Nigerian professionals scaling agro-businesses. 

Senate Resolutions Target Root Causes

The Senate, under the leadership of President Godswill Akpabio, called for a Special Emergency Intervention Package to cushion farmers’ losses. It also demanded the reintroduction of commodity boards for price stabilisation and a Guaranteed Off-take Programme under which the government would purchase produce directly at benchmark prices.

Lawmakers further called for broad subsidies on fertilisers and other farm inputs, alongside increased investment in storage facilities, rural roads, processing hubs, and irrigation infrastructure.

The resolutions also urged a review of import waivers to allow local produce to compete fairly, with states expected to scale up support for farmers. Enhanced coordination among ministries, state governments, commodity boards, and cooperatives was identified as key to ensuring fair pricing, efficient storage and transport, and stronger market linkages—measures aimed at reducing import dependence, insulating the sector from forex shocks, reviving farm investment, empowering smallholders, and strengthening Nigeria’s food sovereignty.