Taraba: High production cost threatens 2025 farming season – Rice farmers

The Taraba State Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Tanko Bobbo Andami, has warned that high production costs and falling crop prices may significantly reduce farming activities this season. He said dry season farmers incurred huge losses due to inflated costs of fuel, fertiliser and labour, compounded by the drastic drop in […]

The Taraba State Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Tanko Bobbo Andami, has warned that high production costs and falling crop prices may significantly reduce farming activities this season.

He said dry season farmers incurred huge losses due to inflated costs of fuel, fertiliser and labour, compounded by the drastic drop in paddy rice prices-from N50,000 to N33,000 per ton.

“Farmers paid over N1,500 per litre for petrol. This, combined with poor government support, has discouraged many from preparing for the wet season,” Andami said.

He blamed the crisis on the continued importation of rice and maize, which has crashed local prices and jeopardised food security.

• Don’t hold more than 60,000 Riyals for Hajj, NAHCON cautions pilgrims
• Web3 ai, Aptos, Sui: 3 Crypto Projects That Raised Millions Overnight & Are Still Climbing

Andami urged the federal government to rethink its food import policies and support local farmers with inputs and subsidies to revive production.

“Without urgent intervention, food output will decline, especially in the North, where many smallholders now lack capital,” he warned.