The removal of fuel subsidy has dealt a heavy blow to farmers in Northern Nigeria. Agriculture has long been the backbone of the nation’s economy, particularly in the North, where farming is both livelihood and tradition. Yet recent government policy has placed immense strain on farmers, making survival increasingly difficult.
The Heart of Nigerian Farming
Northern Nigeria, often called the agricultural heartland, produces much of the country’s food. Crops like maize, rice, millet, and groundnuts thrive on its fertile land. However, the removal of fuel subsidies has disrupted the balance that once kept farming sustainable for smallholders.
For decades, subsidies served as a cushion, helping farmers afford fuel for tractors, irrigation pumps, and the transport of goods. Without this safety net, the cost of farming has soared. What once seemed a manageable struggle is now a crisis, threatening both livelihoods and national food security.
In many villages, farmers complain that even basic irrigation, powered by small pumps, has become unaffordable. Those who once relied on tractors are returning to manual labour, slowing down cultivation. The ripple effect is already visible in markets where food prices rise weekly, stretching the budgets of ordinary Nigerians.
The Rising Cost of Farming Inputs
One immediate impact has been the skyrocketing cost of inputs. Fertilizers, seeds, pesticides, and even basic tools are now beyond the reach of many farmers.
Alhaji Musa Ibrahim, a maize farmer from Katsina, explained:
“Last year, I could buy a bag of fertilizer for ₦12,000. Now it’s more than ₦25,000. Even hoes and cutlasses are out of reach. Many of us are reducing the land we cultivate.”
Mamuda Ruwa, a farmer in Plateau State, added: “Before, farming was one of the businesses that one could start without capital. Now, it’s nearly impossible without significant financial investment.”
For smallholders who depend on seasonal harvests, this cost surge has devastating effects. Many farmers now cultivate half the land they once did, while others abandon farming altogether. The rising costs have forced a reduction in yields, threatening household income and Nigeria’s broader food supply.
Analysts warn that if input prices remain high, Nigeria may face reduced harvests in staple crops like rice and maize, further worsening food inflation.
Transportation Woes
Transportation has also become a nightmare. Before subsidy removal, fuel was cheaper, and moving goods was manageable. Now, prices have soared, making market trips almost impossible.
Ruwa lamented:“Transportation fare is not a thing to joke about; the cost of moving goods has eaten into already slim profit margins.”
For tomato farmers, perishability adds extra pressure. Hauwa Danladi from Kano explained: ”Before subsidy removal, I could transport my tomatoes to Dawanau market for ₦5,000. Today, the same trip costs nearly ₦15,000. Sometimes the tomatoes spoil because I cannot afford to hire a vehicle on time.”
Bad rural roads worsen the problem, damaging vehicles and raising costs. Consumers pay more, yet farmers earn less, as they must absorb some costs to remain competitive. In some areas, cooperative groups now pool resources to hire trucks together, but even that comes at a painful cost.
Government Subsidies and Funding
Over the years, government initiatives such as the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP), Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GESS), and NIRSAL were introduced to help farmers. While useful in theory, their effect has been overshadowed by subsidy removal.
According to Yusuf Abdullahi, a rice farmer in Bauchi: “They keep talking about Anchor Borrowers’ Programme and loans, but we don’t see it here in the villages. Only the big farmers get help. For us small ones, we are left to struggle alone.”
Many smallholders complain of corruption, delays, and uneven distribution. In remote areas, support rarely reaches the intended beneficiaries, leaving farmers frustrated and disillusioned.
Dr. Aminu Bello, an agricultural economist based in Zaria, observed: “Policy pronouncements sound good in Abuja, but implementation in the rural areas is weak. Unless support is transparent and reaches real farmers, the removal of fuel subsidy will continue to widen the poverty gap.”
Agricultural analysts argue that while subsidy removal may balance national finances, it must be matched with targeted relief. Without interventions such as transport subsidies, input vouchers, or affordable credit schemes, farmers will continue to sink deeper into hardship.
The Call for Reform
The crisis reveals that subsidies alone are not enough. The government must push for broader agricultural reforms that address infrastructure, credit, and technology.
Investing in rural roads and transport would cut costs and raise profits. Affordable credit would allow farmers to expand operations, while modern techniques could increase yields and resilience against economic shocks.
Maryam Sule, a groundnut farmer from Sokoto, stressed: “We don’t need promises, we need real support. If the government can fix the roads and reduce transport costs, at least we can sell our produce at better prices. Right now, farming feels like punishment, not livelihood.”
Experts also call for investment in extension services to train farmers in climate-smart techniques. With erratic rainfall and rising temperatures, farmers need more than subsidies; they need knowledge, equipment, and reliable markets.
Agricultural unions have also urged collaboration between federal and state governments to ensure that rural farmers are not left behind. Stronger farmer cooperatives, backed by fair policies, could also help negotiate better prices for inputs and transport.
