Grain farmers in Kaduna State are appealing to the Federal Government for urgent support after reporting losses of over N10.16 billion during the 2025 farming season. The 2,143 farmers, operating across 23 local government areas, were severely impacted by a sharp crash in maize prices, coupled with rising costs of agricultural inputs.

Through their counsel, Barrister Ehizogie Fidelis Imadojemu, the farmers petitioned the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, the Minister of Agriculture, the Central Bank of Nigeria, and Kaduna’s three senators, requesting free or subsidised inputs to salvage the 2026 planting season.

The farmers operate under a maize farming scheme coordinated by Alhaji Rufai Muazu Dikko (Sarkin Labar), which began in 2017 with 1,000 hectares and has expanded to about 10,000 hectares cultivated by 2,143 farmers across Igabi, Soba, Kauru, Zaria, and Sabon Gari LGAs. In the arrangement, Sarkin Labar provides capital, inputs, and logistics, while farmers repay him in maize and sell the remainder for income.

The 2025 season proved catastrophic. Fertiliser prices soared, with a 50kg bag of NPK selling for N60,000 and urea at N50,000 per bag. The cost of cultivating one hectare rose to over N2 million, up from N1 million the previous year. Farmers said that to break even, each 100kg bag of maize would need to sell for N44,578, but the prevailing market price crashed to around N22,000, resulting in a loss of N22,577 per bag.

“From the total output of about 450,000 bags harvested across 10,000 hectares, the farmers calculated an aggregate loss of over N10.16 billion,” the petition stated.

The farmers warned that without urgent intervention, many producers in northern Nigeria may abandon farming in 2026, threatening the government’s food security agenda. They requested subsidies or free inputs via the Central Bank, proposing to reimburse the government in maize at the end of the season.

They argued that such support would stabilise grain production, boost food supply, and generate economic and political benefits ahead of the 2027 general elections. The farmers also requested an urgent meeting with government officials, as preparations for the next planting season are imminent.