Farmers accuse the government’s import policy of causing steep food price drops that have devastated their incomes, while the FG attributes the decline to boosted local production and stimulus measures.
Farmers and the federal government are at odds over a recent drop in food prices nationwide. Many farmers argue that the government-approved massive importation of grains has flooded the market, driving prices below production costs and inflicting losses.
Conversely, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, dismissed the import claim, attributing lower prices to incentives and increased domestic production under programmes like the National Agricultural Growth Scheme. “What has happened … the volume of food that is produced is responsible for the drop in prices,” he stated.
Farmers warn that soaring costs of inputs, particularly fertilizer, compound their plight. “I spent more than N2.5 million … I cannot even get N1.5 million,” lamented Mrs. Blessing Janaru, describing how she now sits on unsold stock.
Prof. Yusuf Sani Ahmad added, “Some are reporting that they would not go back to the farm,” urging special interventions. Meanwhile, the Minister maintained that imported food has yet to be released and promised free inputs for smallholder farmers to cushion the impact.