Niger yam farmers in a fix over cost of seedlings, kidnapping

As the new rainy season draws closer, farmers in Niger State have expressed worry over the current scarcity and high cost of yam seedlings in the state. 

Niger is one of the major yam-producing states in Nigeria. Studies have shown that the state produces over 2.3 metric tons of yam, representing more than 10 per cent of the total yam produced in Nigeria annually.  

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The state was among the few to get yam at a very low cost, but security challenges facing the major yam-producing local government areas of Shiroro, Rafi, Munya, Paikoro, Bosso, Wushishi and Mariga in recent years, where many farmers have been killed and kidnapped with thousand displaced, has nearly cut off the production and supply chains of the crop from the state.

Varieties of yams are supplied in large quantities to many parts of Nigeria, including Lagos, Ekiti, Oyo, Kano and Warri and exported to the Republic of Niger, Algeria, among other places.

Consequently, a cross section of yam farmers and sellers have predicted a looming scarcity in the coming years if the current attacks on farming communities in the state persist.

Checks at major yam markets in Paiko, Jere and Garatu in Bosso and Paikoro local governments areas of Niger State, as well as Kure Ultramodern Market and Kasuwan-Gwari in Minna, the state capital, showed low supply of yam with high demand despite the high cost.

The chairman of Jere Yam Market, Paikoro Local Government of the state, Alhaji Audu Doma, attributed the general scarcity and high cost of yam seedlings to the sustained banditry attacks on yam-producing communities in the state.

He said, “Insecurity has affected yam farming. We cannot go to the farm as we used to. There are several farmers who could not harvest their yamw in Niger State this dry season. Some yams have already rotted in the soil because they don’t like too much heat. And that is why you cannot get yam everywhere in Niger State this year like years before. If it were before you would see everywhere in this market (Jere) filled with yam.”

Sani Abubakar Yusuf, a farmer in Shiroro Local Government Area also said, “Insecurity has also negatively affected agricultural activities, especially yam farming, with attendant hike in prices of produce. 

“The invasion and sack of our communities by terrorists have greatly disrupted farming activities, which an average Gbagyi man is known for from time immemorial. This ugly development has drastically reduced the level of production. The negative impact cannot be quantified. It is the reason why the price of yam has gone astronomically high.

Another farmer in Paiko, Alhaji Umar Garba, said, “During the last rainy season many of us couldn’t go to farm. And those who were able to plant some yams could not harvest them up till now that I am talking to you. Kidnappers don’t allow us to harvest.”

He said the low production was the cause of low supply, leading to high cost, pointing out that “in most of the yam markets in the state you will hardly see much yam because many farmers have been displaced, some have been killed, while some are currently in captivity.”

He appealed for security presence in the farming communities as new rainy season draws closer, to enable them go back to farm to plant yam this year, noting that “before now, in Paiko market alone, not less than 20 trailers loaded yam every day, but this year, you hardly get three trailers to load yam because of scarcity, not the cost per se.”

A farmer in Galadima-kogo, Shiroro Local Government Area, Ayuba Dako, said farmers in some communities in Shiroro Local Government had not been able to harvest their yams this year due to persistent banditry attacks in the area, noting that “some of them are not even in their respective communities now. Many yams have been wasted in the soil.” 

However, Yahaya Salihu, a trader, who supplied yam tubers to many states in Nigeria from Niger State, as well as the Republic of Niger and Algeria, said, “Because of scarcity, I couldn’t supply this year. It is even about the cost. 

“Getting seedlings for the coming rainy season will be very difficult. The seedlings you bought at the rate of N10,000 last year are now N17,000.00. And it will be worse next season if nothing is done with the current security challenges facing yam-producing communities. Many farmers have been displaced, they can longer plant, let alone bringing to the market. 

“A loaded trailer last year was sold at N10 million, but this year, the same type of trailer costs between N15million and N16m. Small trucks cost between N7m and N8m as against N4m in previous years.”

Another farmer, Salihu Daniel, lamented, “This year, we don’t have yam, that is why the price has gone up. Many people cannot harvest their yams because they are afraid of bandits.”

Sani Musa, a trader said, “Yam is scarce in Niger State, with high cost. You cannot find enough yam in the market to buy. Insecurity contributed immensely. It is the major setback that has led to scarcity of yam. Before now, a Toyota starlet filled with yam didn’t cost more than N16,000, but now, it costs more than N300, 000. I go to many yam markets in Niger State to buy, including Paiko, Gwam, Lambata, Dikko, Kuta, Gulu, Chibani, Injita, but now, I cannot go to those places because of insecurity. If you go to most of the places you would get kidnapped. Many farmers have not been able to harvest their yams this year; and rainy season is setting in.”