Naira scarcity threatens wheat farming in Sokoto – Farmers

Wheat farmers have expressed fear that naira scarcity is threatening their activities.

They stated this at the Wheat Farmers Green Field Day organised by the Flour Millers Association of Nigeria (FMAN) at Tashan Illela irrigation site in Sokoto on Tuesday.

The National Programme Manager of FMAN Wheat Development Programme, Dr Aliyu Sama’ila, said 125 farmers were engaged last year who worked on 100 hectares of farmland while 250 worked on 200 hectares this year.

He promised the farmers of timely payment for their yields.

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But a farmer, Alhaji Nasiru Aliyu, said despite improved seeds, fertilizers and new techniques brought to them by the association, their activities were being threatened by the prevailing naira scarcity in the country.

“We need cash to buy fuel and also settle our workers. Most of our filling stations are rejecting cash transfer and old naira notes.

“This is threatening wheat production particularly in this part of the country. We hope things will change for the better in the shortest possible time otherwise we have no option but to retire from the business,” he said.

He also decried the high cost of fuel in the state which he said was N380 per litre.

He also pleaded with millers to review their prices in line with the current development.

Aliyu noted that before the intervention of FMAN in wheat production in the state, he was producing five bags from one hectare of land but is now getting 70 bags of wheat from the same hectare.