Rising costs and falling prices hurt farmers in Plateau State, where maize growers are caught in a painful paradox. Fertilizer prices have soared to over fifty thousand naira per bag, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to cultivate their fields. At the same time, the market price of maize has dropped drastically, with a bag now selling for twenty thousand naira or even less in some local markets. This imbalance has left many farmers frustrated, uncertain, and struggling to survive.
A Cry from the Fields
“I borrowed money to farm this year,” lamented Mr. John Pam, a maize farmer from Barkin Ladi. “We bought fertilizer at more than fifty-two thousand, hoping maize would sell higher. But now buyers want to pay just nineteen thousand five hundred or twenty thousand per bag. How can we survive like this?”
His story mirrors that of thousands of smallholder farmers across Plateau State, a region known for its fertile soil and rich agricultural tradition. Farmers who once took pride in their harvest now face dwindling profits, sometimes not even enough to cover their production costs.
Another farmer, Mrs. Saratu Ibrahim from Mangu, explained the dilemma. “We planted maize because it is the food for everyone. But look at the market now. The price is going down while everything else in the market is going up. Transport is expensive, fertilizer is expensive, even herbicides are expensive. At the end, we are losing.”
Fertilizer Above Fifty Thousand
Fertilizer remains the backbone of maize farming, yet its cost has become a nightmare. The sharp rise in fertilizer prices, now above fifty thousand this season, has forced many farmers to reduce the quantity they apply, or in some cases, abandon farming altogether.
Statistics from the Plateau State Agricultural Development Programme indicate that maize farmers typically require an average of four to six bags of fertilizer per hectare to achieve good yields. With current prices, a farmer cultivating just one hectare must spend over two hundred thousand naira on fertilizer alone, excluding seeds, labor, and transportation.
In past years, government subsidies helped cushion the effect, but several farmers interviewed said access to subsidized inputs has been limited or riddled with challenges.
Falling Maize Prices
Despite the high cost of production, the maize market tells a different story. In Mangu market and other hubs like Barkin Ladi and Pankshin, the price of a one hundred kilogram bag of maize has slipped to between nineteen and twenty thousand naira, depending on quality. Just two years ago, farmers recall, maize fetched as high as twenty-eight to thirty thousand per bag at harvest.
The reasons are not far-fetched. Traders argue that maize imports, hoarding by middlemen, and fluctuating demand from feed millers have all contributed to the fall in prices. Meanwhile, farmers remain at the mercy of buyers who dictate rates without considering production costs.
The Wider Economic Picture
Agricultural economists warn that this imbalance poses a serious threat to food security. Dr. Emmanuel Dung, a lecturer at Plateau State University, described the situation as unsustainable and dangerous.
“How do you expect a farmer to invest in the next planting season when he is making losses now?” he asked. “Maize is not only a staple food; it is also critical for poultry and livestock feeds. If farmers withdraw, the effect will ripple across the economy.”
Inflation in Nigeria, currently hovering above twenty-five percent, has worsened the plight of rural communities. For maize farmers in Plateau, rising transportation costs, driven by high fuel prices and insecurity on rural roads, have further reduced their net income.
Human Burden on Families
Beyond economics, the crisis has deeply affected households. Farmers rely on their harvests to feed their families, pay school fees, and cover medical expenses.
“My children’s school fees are due, but I cannot pay because maize is not selling,” said Mr. Luka Audu, a farmer in Bokkos. “Last year, I sold maize and bought books and uniforms. This year, I do not know what to do.”
In villages across the state, farmers quietly recount similar stories of hardship, balancing their love for farming with the harsh realities of today’s economy.
Coping Strategies
Some farmers have resorted to storing maize in hopes of better prices in the future. Others are diversifying into crops like Irish potatoes, vegetables, or small livestock to cushion their losses. Yet, storage facilities remain inadequate, and many fear that waiting too long could result in spoilage or further price drops.
“We need government to help us with storage silos, with subsidies, with loans that we can actually access,” pleaded Mrs. Ibrahim, the Mangu farmer. “If not, many of us will leave farming.”
The Way Forward
Agricultural experts and cooperative leaders believe urgent interventions are needed. These include subsidized fertilizer, improved access to credit, and investment in rural infrastructure. Market regulation, they argue, could also help stabilize prices and protect farmers from exploitation.
The Plateau State government has in recent years launched initiatives to support agriculture. However, many farmers insist these efforts have not reached the grassroots in meaningful ways.
Conclusion
The maize story in Plateau State is no longer just about harvests and yields. It is about survival. Farmers are trapped between rising input costs and falling market prices, a dangerous squeeze that threatens not just their livelihoods but also the food security of millions.
As Mr. Pam from Barkin Ladi put it, “If this continues, many of us will stop farming. And if we stop, who will feed Nigeria?
