The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Katsina chapter on Monday expressed worries over the high cost of transporting labourers and inputs to farms.
The State coordinator, Alhaji Abubakar Idris Muduru told 21st CENTURY CHRONICLE via telephone conversation that his members were seriously facing challenges associated with high cost of production this farming season.
Idris, who made a passionate appeal for assistance to the State and the Federal Governments, described the cost of inputs such as seedlings, herbicide, pesticide and fertilizer as well as hiring of laborers as worrisome.
“We want the government to assist us with farm inputs and seedlings to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal as well as encourage the local farmers.
“I believe that if farm inputs are subsidized, it can go a long way to bring down the prices of food items in the market,” he said.
The RIFAN’s Organising secretary who also spoke about good weather patterns this farming season, expressed high hope of having a bumper harvest.
“Though we expect bumper harvest this season, I must tell you, the cost of cultivating is beyond expectation. We have difficulties in transportation of farm inputs and labourers to the farm.
“We hope the season will bring good fortune with the prevailing good weather condition,” he said
Rice Millers also expressed worries over the hike in hiring of labour and tractors to farm in the state.
Abubakar said that the cost of hiring a tractor had gone up to N55,000 per day from N30,000 to N35,000 per day in the previous season.
“Herbicide that was selling for N3,200 now sells for between N3,800 and N4,500, depending on the size while 15kg of fertiliser is now sold at N27,000 as against N24,000, Said Alh Rufa’I Bakori.
“The new pump price of petrol is affecting the entire production cost in farms, especially for those who are planting rice.
“We are calling for urgent government intervention because the prices of all food items have already skyrocketed,” he added.
