By Jako.
The Village Head of Appawa in Lau Local Government Area, Chief Bethuel Sannu, has appealed to government at all levels to address the challenges facing farmers at the grassroots, particularly the high cost of agricultural inputs.
Speaking in an interview, the traditional ruler noted that while the recent drop in the prices of farm produce is a welcome development for consumers, it has left farmers bearing huge losses.
He explained that during the planting season, the prices of essential inputs such as fertilizer, chemicals, insecticides, and seeds were high, making farming more expensive.
“Government policies that reduce the prices of farm commodities are good, but there must also be deliberate efforts to subsidize farm inputs,” Sannu said.
He further suggested that government could procure inputs and distribute them to farmers at the right time to enable them cultivate their crops without delay.
The Village Head warned that unless urgent measures are taken, many smallholder farmers may be forced out of agriculture. He therefore called on both the federal and state governments, through the Ministry of Agriculture, to strengthen engagement with local farmers in Taraba State.
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