Farmers in Bwari Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are raising alarm over the relentless rise in the cost of fertilisers and agrochemicals — a trend that is fast eroding their capacity to produce food sustainably.
From ₦20,000 in 2023, the price of a bag of NPK and Urea fertilisers has now soared beyond ₦47,000. For smallholder farmers, this escalation makes little economic sense: the revenue from selling a bag of maize no longer matches the cost of buying a single bag of fertiliser. The imbalance underscores the growing squeeze on Nigeria’s rural producers — those who form the backbone of the country’s food supply.
Organic Alternatives on the Rise
As costs spiral, many farmers are now turning to poultry and cow dung manures as substitutes. Organic inputs, priced at ₦5,000–₦6,000 per bag, are increasingly in demand — but even these require early booking due to surging demand. While organic fertilisers improve soil health and water retention, they are labour-intensive and slower in nutrient release compared to industrial fertilisers.
The dual system — expensive inorganic inputs and less potent but affordable organic manures — is creating a two-tier farming reality, with many farmers struggling to maintain productivity levels.
Structural Drivers of Rising Costs
The surge in fertiliser and agrochemical prices is linked to rising fuel costs, which feed into the energy-intensive production and distribution processes. With Nigeria’s inflationary pressures and currency volatility, the affordability crisis is worsening, threatening the goal of food self-sufficiency.
Mr Phillip Akuso, a farmer from Baran-goni, put it bluntly: “You cannot sell a bag of corn and buy a bag of fertiliser. The maths just doesn’t add up.”
Policy Gaps and the Way Forward
Agricultural experts warn that unless urgent interventions are made, the rising cost of farm inputs could reverse Nigeria’s recent gains in food production. They advocate:
- Subsidised fertiliser schemes to support smallholder farmers.
- Soft loans and credit facilities to reduce entry barriers for farm inputs.
- Balanced input strategy, promoting a mix of organic and inorganic fertilisers to sustain yields while protecting long-term soil quality.
- Investment in local fertiliser production, to reduce reliance on volatile international supply chains.
As one agriculturalist, Mr Tanimu Ibrahim, explained: “Industrial fertilisers provide quick nutrient absorption, but they don’t improve soil structure. Organic manure sustains soil fertility. Nigeria must strike a balance.”
BRANDECONOMY Takeaway
The fertiliser crisis highlights a deeper challenge: without affordable, reliable access to agricultural inputs, Nigeria’s food security drive will falter. As farmers struggle to keep production viable, government and private sector stakeholders must urgently recalibrate policies and financing mechanisms.
If Nigeria is serious about reducing food imports and empowering local farmers, fertiliser and agrochemical affordability cannot remain an afterthought — it must be treated as a national economic priority.
Would you like me to now design a companion infographic for BRANDECONOMY titled “Nigeria’s Fertiliser Crisis: Impact on Food Security” — showing price trends, smallholder affordability, organic vs. inorganic trade-offs, and policy options? This would make the piece visually compelling for both policymakers and the public.
