A Catholic priest, Michael Melladu, has advised the federal Government to subsidise all farm inputs to encourage farmers, boost agriculture, and enhance food security.

Mr Melladu, who made the call during an interview in Gboko, noted that farm inputs are expensive and beyond the reach of the average farmer in Nigeria.

The cleric, who is also the chairman of the Benue Christians Pilgrims Welfare Board, stated that the soil was no longer as fertile as it used to be, and therefore, there was a need for fertilisers and improved seeds, among other inputs.

“Our soils are no longer as fertile, and fertilisers like SSP for soybeans are imported and costly. A common Nigerian farmer cannot afford them. The government should subsidise farm inputs such as fertilisers and improved seeds, among others.

“Government should also protect farmers from exploitative middlemen by buying produce at fair prices, ensuring farmers get value for their hard work,” he said.

Mr Melladu described the Federal Government’s recent policy of opening borders, which has driven down local food prices while input costs remained high, as akin to plastic surgery.

“This is plastic surgery; it is only treating the surface while the deeper wound remains. Farmers from other countries, with fully subsidised inputs, compete unfairly with our farmers who labour under harsh conditions.

“This discourages local farmers, especially the youths, from going into agriculture,” he stated.

(NAN)