Ebonyi rice farmers denounce hike in labour, inputs

The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Ebonyi chapter on Monday expressed worries over the high cost of transporting labourers and inputs to farm.

The association Secretary, Mr Kenneth Chigozie, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abakaliki that his members were seriously facing challenges associated with high cost of production this farming season.

Chigozie who made passionate appeal for assistance to the State and the Federal Governments, described the cost of inputs such as seedlings, harbicide, pesticide and fertiliser as well as hiring of labourers as worrisome.

“We want 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 subsidised, 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 good weather pattern this season this farming season, expressed high hope of having bumper harvest.

“Though we expects bumper harvest this season, I must tell you, the cost of cultivating is beyond expectation. We have difficulties in transportation of farm inputs and labourers to the farm.

“We hope the season will bring good fortune with the prevailing good weather condition,” he said

The Chairman, Abakaliki Rice Millers Association, Mr Linus Nkwuda, also expressed worries over the hike in hiring of labour 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 fertiliser is now sold at N27,000 as against N24,000.

“The new pump price of petrol is affecting the entire production cost in farm, 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. (NAN)