Farmers across communities in Ebonyi State have raised concerns over the rising cost of farm inputs and labour as the 2026 planting season begins.

A cross-section of farmers who spoke with journalists in Abakaliki on Wednesday said that the trend could negatively affect food production and prices.

The farmers said that the sharp increase in the prices of fertilisers, improved seeds, agrochemicals, and the cost of hiring farm assistance made it difficult for them to prepare adequately for the season.

A yam and rice farmer, Joseph Ugwuoke, decried the development and called for government intervention to boost efforts toward achieving food security.

Mr Ugwuoke said that the price of fertilisers had doubled compared to what it was the previous year, adding that it was difficult for him to cope as the current planting season approached.

Similarly, a cassava and yam farmer, Chukwuma Nkwuda, complained about the high cost of labour, noting that most farmers could no longer afford to hire workers for land clearing and planting.

“Labour costs have increased significantly. What we paid workers in 2025 has almost doubled. Some of us now rely on family members, but that is not always enough,” he said.

Mr Nkwuda attributed the situation to rising transportation costs, inflation, and the removal of the fuel subsidy, which they said had affected the prices of goods and services nationwide.

A labourer in Ugwuachara, Joshua Oke, said the cost of making heaps for yam cultivation ranged from N200 to N500, depending on the size.

“We earn more from labour now. We are paid between N10,000 and N15,000 to clear grass on farmland,” Mr Oke said.

At Kpirikpiri Market, a seller of farm inputs, Blessing Nworie, said that the price of agrochemicals, including herbicides, had increased significantly.

“Herbicides that sold for N3,000 in 2025 now sell for N5,000, while fertiliser, which was N30,000, now sells for between N45,000 and N50,000,” she said.

In her reaction, the commissioner for agriculture and natural resources, Nkechinyere Iyioku, said Ebonyi State had recorded tremendous improvement in agribusiness since the inception of the present governor, Francis Nwifiru.

The state government, through the Ministry of Human Capital Development, trained over 100 youths in farming, such as poultry, cassava and rice production.

The beneficiaries received start-up funds of N3 million each.

(NAN)