Presidential Fertilizer Initiative concerns raised by COFAN and HYFAN as farmers warn it could raise costs and worsen Nigeria’s food crisis
Presidential Fertilizer Initiative concerns were raised on Thursday by two major Nigerian farmers’ coalitions, who warned that the Federal Government’s new approach could escalate production costs and deepen the nation’s food insecurity crisis.
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The Coalition of Farmers Association of Nigeria (COFAN) and the Himma Youth Farmers Association of Nigeria (HYFAN) issued a joint statement expressing alarm over the restructured Presidential Fertilizer Initiative (PFI), citing rising input prices, inconsistent supply chains, and a lack of clarity in policy direction.
Dr Abubakar Bamai, National President of COFAN, said the current realities in the agriculture sector make the timing of the new PFI particularly risky.
“Farmers are already grappling with skyrocketing prices. At N58,000 per 100kg, many are forced to sell their crops or even abandon their farms altogether just to afford fertiliser,” he explained.
While acknowledging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s broader agricultural reforms as commendable, Bamai cautioned that missteps in implementing the new PFI could unravel hard-won progress over the past eight years.
“The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative concerns aren’t about rejecting reform. We commend the bold steps taken toward improving food systems, youth inclusion, and farmer support,” Bamai noted.
“However, this restructuring must not come at the expense of smallholder and youth farmers who are already on the edge.”
The coalition called for urgent government intervention and listed specific demands, including continued importation of fertiliser raw materials until local production becomes stable and reliable.
They also urged that the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI) should remain in charge of managing these imports to ensure supply chain efficiency and transparency.
“In this regard, we respectfully urge President Tinubu not to allow these achievements to be eroded,” the statement read.
“We need a balanced approach—one that offers immediate support to farmers while building the foundation for a sustainable fertiliser supply system.”
The Presidential Fertilizer Initiative concerns come as Nigeria continues to battle high inflation, food shortages, and low agricultural productivity.
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With the farming season under way, farmers and stakeholders alike are watching closely to see how government policy translates into real-world impact.
