Farmers Decry High Cost Of Farm Inputs, Labour

Farmers in Abia State have expressed concern over rising prices of agriculture inputs and cost of labour.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP Weekend in Umuahia, the national president of All Farmers Cooperative Society, Uzorma Nwogwugwu, said the increase was taking a toll on the members’ finances.

According to him, the increase may not be unconnected with the sudden hike in transportation due to the removal of subsidy on petroleum products.

Reacting also, Michael Uchechukwu, a cassava farmer, lamented that there had been a rise in the cost of land clearing and preparation up to 50 to 70 percent.

Similarly, a vegetable farmer in Abam, Nicholas Chima, noted with concern the scarcity of pumpkin seeds and fertilizer, saying the situation was making him uncomfortable.

They said the rise would likely affect production costs which would lead to high cost of foodstuff at the end of the season.

They appealed to governments at all levels to assist them by providing the inputs and seedlings at subsidised prices to reduce their production costs.