Nigerian farmers lament rise in prices of essential inputs as planting season begins

Rising costs are driving essential inputs such as seeds, fertilizer, and pesticides out of the reach of farmers in Nigeria as this year’s planting season begins. Due to the lockdown, many farmers consumed what they would have used for planting this year as the prices and demand was high.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Nigeria had restricted food importation as it strove to produce more of the food it consumes. The country shut its borders, largely to prevent the importation and smuggling of items such as rice, poultry products, and petrol.
The National Agricultural Seed Council of Nigeria (NASC), has certified 81,000 metric tonnes of assorted seeds for farmers across the country.