Farmers across Nigeria are threatening to boycott this year’s planting season as fertilizer prices surge to 47,000 naira per bag, placing significant strain on smallholder farmers.

The President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mohammed Magaji, says a growing number of farmers are reconsidering their participation this season due to mounting losses.

Also weighing in on the issue, farmer and Chief Executive Officer of Green Pivot, Nafeesat Lawal, said a comprehensive approach is needed to address the crisis, where rural farmers are granted access to state-owned storage facilities to help reduce the surplus typically experienced during the early harvest period, which often drives prices down and erodes farmers’ profits.

According to her, the government should consider boosting local fertilizer production and implementing price control measures to stabilize the market. They should also improve agricultural research institutes to enhance domestic production capacity and reduce reliance on imports.

She emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between communities and both the public and private agricultural sectors.

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