NAN-AE-3
Agro-chemicals
By Mercy Obojeghren
Asaba, Dec. 30, 2016 (NAN) Mr Raymos Guana, the Chief Executive Officer of Raymos Guana Farms has attributed the increase in price of agro-chemicals to the continuous hike in cost of foodstuffs in the country.
Guana, a former Commissioner for Lands in Delta, made this known in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday in Asaba.
He noted that more than 80 per cent of the agro-chemicals used by farmers in the country were imported from other countries.
“More than 80 per cent of agro-chemicals used by farmers in this country are imported and these chemicals are imported with dollars which now sells between N450 and N480 in the black market,’’ he said.
Guana said that apart from the increase in the price of agro-chemicals, increase in the cost of fuel also contributed to the hike in the prices of foodstuffs.
“Price of diesel and petrol have gone up, and whether you like it or not, these increases have drastically affected the cost of transportation in the country.
“The cost of transporting farm produce from the farms to markets has also been increased due to increase in the pump price of fuel,’’ he said.
Guana appealed to government at all levels to intervene and reduce the cost of production, especially with the provision of fertilisers and agro-chemicals to farmers at subsidised rate.
He also advised government to take into consideration small scale farmers, especially in the areas of having access to farm incentives.
This, he said, would go a long way in boosting agricultural produce and food security in the country. (NAN)
MOA/OIF/OFN
Edited by Ifeyinwa Okonkwo//Felix Nwadioha