The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has expressed optimism that food prices could decline in the coming months as farmers begin to reap the benefits of the Federal Government’s fertiliser support programme aimed at boosting agricultural productivity nationwide.
The association said the intervention, which provided fertilisers to thousands of farmers across the country, is expected to lower production costs, improve yields and contribute to increased food availability during the harvest season.
The Federal Government, through the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF) in collaboration with AFAN, recently distributed fertilisers to 3,040 farmers across 26 states under the Farmer Input Support Programme.
Speaking on the anticipated impact of the initiative, Acting Chairman of AFAN in Lagos State, Mr Sakin Agbayewa, described the fertiliser distribution as a strategic intervention that could help ease pressure on food prices.
According to him, the programme has reduced a significant portion of farmers’ production expenses, creating favourable conditions for increased output and more affordable food commodities.
Agbayewa noted that with fertiliser currently selling for about N40,000 per bag, each beneficiary farmer who received four bags saved an estimated N160,000 during the planting season.
He explained that the support package translated into approximately N486.4 million in collective savings for the 3,040 farmers who benefited from the programme.
The AFAN official said the intervention would not only encourage higher productivity but also strengthen efforts to tackle food insecurity across the country.
He added that farmers who have benefited from the subsidised input support are expected to reflect the reduced production costs in the pricing of their produce when harvests begin.
Also commenting on the initiative, AFAN National General Secretary, Mr Femi Oke, described the fertiliser distribution as a timely intervention that arrived at a critical stage of the farming season.
Oke said the availability of fertilisers during the wet season would help farmers maximise crop performance, leading to improved yields and larger harvest volumes.
He expressed confidence that increased agricultural output resulting from the programme would gradually translate into lower food prices, although the full impact would become more evident as crops reach the harvest stage.
AFAN commended the Federal Government and NADF for the initiative, noting that sustained support for farmers remains essential to strengthening food production, improving rural livelihoods and enhancing national food security.
