Ebonyi rice farmers lament hike in labour, inputs
Chigozie, who made a passionate appeal for assistance to the state and federal governments, described the cost of inputs such as seedlings, herbicide, pesticide, and fertilizer, as well as the hiring of laborers, as worrisome.
The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Ebonyi chapter on Monday expressed worries over the high cost of transporting laborers and inputs to farms.
The association secretary, Mr. Kenneth Chigozie, said in Abakaliki that his members were seriously facing challenges associated with the high cost of production this farming season.
Chigozie, who made a passionate appeal for assistance to the state and federal governments, described the cost of inputs such as seedlings, herbicide, pesticide, and fertilizer, as well as the hiring of laborers, as worrisome.
“We want the government to assist us with farm inputs and seedlings to mitigate the impact of fuel subsidy removal as well as encourage the local farmers.
“I believe that if farm inputs are subsidized, it can go a long way to bring down the prices of food items in the market,” he said.
The RIFAN’s secretary, who also spoke about the good weather pattern this season, expressed high hopes of having a bumper harvest.
“Though we expect a bumper harvest this season, I must tell you, the cost of cultivating is beyond expectation. We have difficulties with the transportation of farm inputs and laborers to the farm.
“We hope the season will bring good fortune with the prevailing good weather condition,” he said
The Chairman of the Abakaliki Rice Millers Association, Mr. Linus Nkwuda, also expressed worries over the hike in the hiring of labor and tractors to farm in the state.
Nkwuda said that the cost of hiring a tractor had gone up to N55,000 per day from N30,000 to N35,000 per day in the previous season.
“Harbicide that was selling for N3,200 now sells for between N3,800 and N4,500, depending on the size, while 15kg of fertilizer is now sold at N27,000 as against N24,000.
“The new pump price of gasoline is affecting the entire production cost of farms, especially for those who are planting rice.
“We are calling for urgent government intervention because the prices of all food items have already skyrocketed,” he added.