Poor roads, low extension services, high input costs threaten agriculture in Bauchi – Stakeholders

Stakeholders at a symposium on inclusive market systems in Bauchi State have identified poor feeder roads, high cost of inputs and grossly inadequate agricultural extension services as major threats to agricultural productivity in the state.

The stakeholders, in a communique issued at the end of the symposium, observed that farmers continue to face challenges relating to high input costs, fake and poor quality inputs, lack of finance and poor access to market information.

They noted that inadequate extension services has resulted in low yield, with the ratio of extension agents to farmers standing at about one agent to 5,000 households.

According to the communique, smallholder farmers also face significant barriers to accessing profitable and reliable markets, including poor farm access routes, limited production, weak market linkages and inadequate market infrastructure.

The symposium, which considered findings from the inclusive market system assessment, further observed that insecurity, climate change, deforestation, flooding and environmental degradation pose significant risks to agricultural production and sustainable livestock development, particularly for women and youth.

The participants reaffirmed that a functional agricultural market system is essential to improving productivity, enhancing food security, creating employment opportunities and contributing to sustainable economic growth in Bauchi State.

They expressed appreciation to the Bauchi State Government, Global Affairs Canada, MEDA, Sahel Consulting and other partners for their support in strengthening agricultural value chains in the state.