Agriculture
Farmers Decry High Cost Of Chemicals
Cocoa farmers in Osun have decried the high cost of chemicals used for the control of diseases in cocoa production. A cross section of them who spoke with our correspondent in Owena-Ijesa in Oriade Local Government Area on Friday, expressed concern that the development might lead to a drop in quality and yield this year.
One of the farmers, Alhaji Mukaila Alao, said that most farmers could no longer afford chemicals such as “Ridomil gold, Actara, Coacobre Sandox, Funguran, Kocide 101 and Dusban” due to their high cost.
“Even those of us who can afford the high cost, face difficulty to access the chemicals because of their scarcity most times.
“A sachet of Ridomil gold which was sold between N180 and N200 last year, is now between N300 and N350, while Reforce formally sold for N130 is N250 and Ultmaxe is now N280 instead of its former price of N150”, he said.
Another cocoa farmer, Mr Segun Olaoye, said that he had resorted to using a mixture of alum and ashes in water for the control of black pod disease in his cocoa farm. “Though it is not as effective as Ridomil gold plus 66wp or other black pod control chemical, the high cost of these chemicals forced me to adopt its usage and it works to some extent.“ Olaoye said.
Olaoye who expressed fears that the use of alum and ashes might cause low yields and appealed to the federal government to subsidise the prices of the chemicals to ease the challenges cocoa farmers faced.
A female cocoa farmer, Madam Sherifat Olori, who disclosed that she had invested more than N500,000, to rent cocoa plantation this year, lamented that the high cost of the chemicals had “drained her pocket”.
Olori said: “It is a must to purchase these chemicals for the control of diseases in cocoa, otherwise my investment would be in vain.
“But I am afraid that the high cost of the chemicals would take all the gains at the end of the season.
“Government should help us and make the chemicals available at cheaper rates.”
Meanwhile, Alhaji Raheem Adeniji, the State Chairman, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), also expressed worry over the high cost of the chemicals.
Adeniji said that following the development, the association now purchased directly from the company that imports the products and sells to its members who are cocoa farmers.
“This method makes the chemicals available to members at cheaper rates when compared to the prices in the open markets. He urged the federal government to address the plight of the cocoa farmers by ensuring that all agro-chemicals were available at subsidised rates, to boost agricultural production.
Federal Government and the Ogun State Government, on Wednesday, distributed farm inputs to farmers as part of effort to address food security challenge.
The State Director, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Toyin Ayo-Ajayi, during the flag-off ceremony of Inputs Redemption Under The National Agricultural Growth Scheme-Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP), in Ogun State, disclosed that beneficiaries of the gesture were primarily rice, maize and cassava farmers across the State.
Ayo-Ajayi commended the Ogun State Government for partnering with the government at the centre for the effort in supporting farmers with inputs that would bring about yieldings for local consumption and likely exportation.
She noted that government is supporting rice, cassava and maize farmers with inputs worth N212,000; N189,000 and N186,000 respectively.
The Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mrs Kehinde Jokotoye, who represented the Commissioner in the Ministry, Bolu Owotomo, stated that traditional farmers are critical in food production, hence the need to encourage and support them with inputs that would bring about desired results during harvesting.
Owotomo said: “Let us make good use of this opportunity, so that the success of this phase will make farmers benefit more from the state and federal governments of Nigeria.”
Earlier, State Coordinator, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Oluwatoyin Ayo-Ajayi, appreciated the present administration for partnering with the federal government for the initiative, adding that the programme is designed to support farmers at the grassroots level in cassava, rice and maize with inputs such as, seeds, pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers, to boost their production and enhance their livelihood.
The Niger State Government has mapped out 10,000 hectares of farmland in Gbapo Community of Katcha Local Government Area of the State for smallholder farmers to benefit from the state government’s agricultural intervention programme.
Two thousand out of the 10,000 holders of the farmlands have already received inputs.
At a flag-off ceremony in Yinti Village, the facilitator of the programme, Shinkafan Nupe, Malam Idris Usman Makanta, assured the farmers of increased distributions to the mapped-out ten thousand (10,000) farmlands if farmers respond positively.
He explained that the commencement of the two thousand is to measure the positive response of farmers before obtaining full-scale support.
Malam Makanta stated that this initiative aligns with the farmers’ initial commitment through Niger Foods, whose mission is primarily geared towards establishing efficient and profitable agricultural businesses to support the present administration of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago’s quest to boost agricultural productivity in the state.
He also commended Niger Foods for their steadfastness and resilience in the effective implementation of the input financing scheme.
Makanta reiterated the commitment of the State Governor in making judicious use of the arable land in the state.
Shinkafan Nupe, therefore, urged the farmers to support the Governor by using the inputs wisely so that the dream can be actualised.
The Gombe State Government has empowered a total of 573,429 farmers and entrepreneurs under the 4th phase of the GO-CARES programme.
The programme was officially flagged off by Governor Inuwa Yahaya in another major step towards alleviating poverty and supporting the state’s vulnerable populations.
The Governor, while inaugurating the disbursement in Akko Community of Akko Local Government Area, restated his administration’s commitment to the welfare of vulnerable citizens in the state.
He was represented by the Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning, Salihu Baba Alkali, who is also the Chairman of the Steering Committee on GO- CARES implementation.
“The 4th phase of GO-CARES will directly and indirectly impact a total of 573,429 citizens across the state. Of these, 152,429 individuals will benefit directly through cash transfers, livelihood grants, agricultural inputs, and operational grants to small businesses”, he stated.
The Governor added that, “421,000 people will be indirect beneficiaries through infrastructural projects such as classroom blocks, healthcare facilities, WASH services, and rural infrastructure projects like culverts and drainages”.
Yahaya, reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that the state’s most vulnerable citizens are not left behind in the state’s development.
According to him, “Earlier this year, on June 25, 2024, we flagged off the distribution of improved seedlings, fertilizers, and herbicides to less privileged farmers in Malam Sidi, Kwami Local Government Area, signaling the commencement of the 4th phase implementation of GO-CARES under Result Area 2”.
The Governor reiterated that these initiatives have had a significant impact on the livelihoods of beneficiaries and the overall agricultural sector.
He explained that, “Today’s ceremony marked the simultaneous launch of activities under all three GO-CARES Result Areas for the 4th phase. These areas include: State Cash Transfer Grants: 2,500 direct beneficiaries; Labour Intensive Public Works: 2,700 direct beneficiaries; Livelihood Grants: 10,000 direct beneficiaries; and Basic Services: 405,000 indirect beneficiaries”.
