Fertilizer is a chemical mixture added to the soil to supply essential nutrients for the growth of farm crops. High fertilizer prices mean a dark future for farmers.
Organic and inorganic fertilizers are the most common. Organic fertilizers are manufactured using carbon-based agricultural waste and livestock manure, while Inorganic fertilizers are produced from chemical nutrients.
Both organic and inorganic fertilizers are used to provide different nutrients in the soil. They are rich sources of potassium, nitrogen, phosphorus, and other nutrients crucial for sustainable food production and high crop yield. They also aid in maintaining soil fertility and improving retention capacity.
Significant growth in the agricultural sector and increasing requirements for enhancing soil fertility have led to a high demand for fertilizers.
Soaring global fertilizer prices mean a dark horizon for farmers uncertain of their land’s productivity. But the question most people are asking themselves is, what is causing the rise in fertilizer prices?
Cause of the increasing fertilizer prices
According to Yara, a Norway-based fertilizer producer, a rise in European natural gas prices has reduced ammonia production, a key fertilizer component.
The high grain price has also led to increased demand for nitrogen fertilizers, increasing the general need. This is worsened by China’s fertilizer export restrictions, which have created more shortages.
According to Bloomberg, Chinese authorities are imposing new hurdles for fertilizer exporters amid growing concerns over struggling power prices and food production. This move could worsen a global price shock and inflation.
China’s move to curb fertilizer exports will be felt by farmers worldwide. The country is a crucial supplier of urea, sulphate, and phosphate, accounting for about 30% of global trade.
What is terrifying is fertilizer availability, as most agro-dealers are holding, intending to make a profit soon.
Rice farmers in Kenya are worried during this planting season by the current 30% increase in planting fertilizers from Ksh 3,000 to Ksh 4,500 by agro-dealers, which most cannot afford. They are worried that yield may decline and are forced to grow without fertilizers. Therefore, they call for the government to intervene and provide subsidized fertilizer.
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Way forward for the farmer
Use of available inorganic fertilizers, especially farmyard. If you can manage to buy it currently, you had better do so because prices will not fall soon.
Government intervention with subsidies so that most farmers can afford it. If this is not done, a considerable problem of food insecurity and reduced revenue await the African countries.
