The Coalition of Farmers Association of Nigeria (COFAN) and Himma Youth Farmers Association of Nigeria (HYFAN) have raised alarms over the revamped Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), warning that it could drive up fertilizer costs and worsen Nigeria’s food crisis. In a statement on Thursday, COFAN’s National President, Dr. Abubakar Bamai, said the initiative, amid soaring input costs and supply chain issues, threatens to undo eight years of agricultural progress.
Bamai highlighted that fertilizer prices, already at N58,000 per 100 kilograms, have forced many farmers to sell crops or abandon farms entirely. “The high cost of inputs is crippling,” he said, noting that further price increases could deepen the plight of smallholder and youth farmers.
While praising President Bola Tinubu’s agricultural reforms for their focus on farmer empowerment and food security, the coalition expressed concern about the PFI’s restructuring. They urged the government to maintain fertilizer raw material imports until local production can reliably meet demand. Specifically, they called for the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) to continue overseeing imports to ensure transparency and stability in the supply chain.
“We urge President Tinubu not to let these gains erode,” Bamai said. “Adopt a balanced approach that protects farmers now while building local capacity for the future.” The farmers’ plea underscores the delicate balance between short-term relief and long-term self-sufficiency as Nigeria grapples with rising food insecurity.
