The Senate has asked the Federal Government to introduce urgent measures to protect Nigerian farmers from the impact of falling agricultural produce prices and rising production costs.
This was part of resolutions during plenary following a motion sponsored by Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), highlighting the growing challenges facing local farmers amid recent government policies aimed at reducing food prices nationwide.
He commended the Federal Government for easing the burden on consumers through waivers and special approvals for large-scale food imports, a move that has helped lower food prices and provided relief to many Nigerians.
He, however, noted that the same policy has inadvertently created severe difficulties for local farmers.
According to the motion, while farm-gate prices for agricultural produce have continued to decline, the cost of critical inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides, and insecticides remains extremely high.
This imbalance, according to him, has distorted agricultural markets and triggered massive post-harvest losses, as farmers struggle to sell their produce at fair or profitable prices.
The Senate, therefore, asked the Federal Government to design and implement a special emergency intervention package aimed at cushioning farmers affected by the collapse in farm-gate prices.
The upper chamber also urged government to introduce broad-based subsidies for fertilisers and other essential agricultural inputs to ease the burden on farmers.
Additionally, the lawmakers resolved to advise state governors to prioritise support for local farmers by encouraging investments in agriculture and taking deliberate steps to curb post-harvest losses.
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