In Plateau State, Nigeria, irrigation vegetable farming is a widespread activity across its 17 local government areas. Despite the state's long history of dry season farming, local farmers are facing significant hurdles that hinder their ability to sustain or expand their farming operations. High farming input costs, financial constraints exacerbated by the naira's depreciation, and limited access to loans are among the primary challenges cited by farmers.
One small-scale farmer from Jos East LGA, reported a discouraging increase in fertilizer costs, from N28,000 to N48,000, which severely impacts the feasibility of expanding irrigation farming. The emergence of a strange insect disease and the appearance of cobwebs on tomato plants further complicate farming efforts in the region. He notes that while the production of crops like cabbage and carrots remains viable, tomato farming has become prohibitively expensive, requiring significant investment without guaranteed returns. The lack of governmental support in the form of loans or grants exacerbates these challenges.
Other farmers in Plateau State echo his concerns, highlighting additional issues such as the high cost of fuel, inadequate water resources for irrigation, and the overall financial inaccessibility of farming inputs. These challenges not only prevent farmers from expanding their operations but also from maintaining current farm sizes.
Source: dailytrust.com
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