Farmers, Federal Government Clash Over Drop in Food Prices Across Nigeria

The recent drop in food prices across Nigeria has sparked a heated disagreement between farmers and the Federal Government, with both sides offering sharply contrasting explanations for the development.

While many farmers and their associations blame the government’s approval of large-scale food importation for the price crash, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, insists the decline reflects the success of the administration’s agricultural policies and incentives aimed at boosting local production.

Farmers Cry Out Over Losses, Blame Food Imports

Akahi News gathered that several farmers across key agricultural states have accused the government’s importation policy of ruining local production. Many claim they are unable to sell old stock accumulated at higher production costs, forcing them into massive losses.

In September 2024, the Federal Government opened a 150-day duty-free import window for essential grains such as rice, maize, sorghum, and wheat. The initiative, which was meant to run until December 2024 but reportedly extended into January 2025, was designed to reduce food prices and ease the cost-of-living crisis.

However, farmers argue that the policy had unintended consequences, causing the prices of major grains to plummet below production cost, leaving many in debt.

“We are losing everything we worked for,” lamented a Kogi-based cassava farmer, Ben Ameh, who said he invested ₦16 million in cultivating 40 acres of cassava but could not recover ₦10 million after harvest. “Prices dropped from ₦170,000 per ton to ₦45,000. Everything collapsed.”

In Kano, sesame farmer Malam Hassan Yusuf said he spent about ₦3 million on his farm but realised only ₦700,000 due to the sharp fall in produce prices. He vowed not to farm again next year, describing the situation as “discouraging and devastating.”

Government Attributes Price Drop to Increased Local Production

In defence, Minister Abdullahi dismissed the farmers’ claims, saying the food items imported under the duty-free policy have yet to be released. He maintained that the decline in prices was a result of increased local production supported by government initiatives.

“We are fully aware of the dynamics, but our goal is food security,” the minister said during the World Food Day celebration in Abuja. “Since 2023, we have invested heavily in the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket Programme. Over 500,000 metric tons of wheat, maize, cassava, and other crops were produced. This year, we have ramped up even more — the increased volume is responsible for the drop in prices.”

He assured that the government is monitoring the situation and will intervene to ensure that farmers do not suffer unsustainable losses.

Industrial Processors and Cassava Market Collapse

Beyond grain farmers, Akahi News learnt that industrial cassava processors are also facing severe disruptions. The influx of imported starch and similar commodities has forced several local factories to shut down operations, leaving farmers stranded with unsold cassava.

Kehinde Lawrence, Programme Manager of the Industrial Cassava Stakeholders’ Association of Nigeria (ICSAN), said processors and farmers were “in distress,” warning that the current situation threatens to cripple the value chain.

“Many went into cassava farming, but industrial processors who used to absorb the output have stopped buying. Farmers now rely on garri processors who pay far less than the cost of production,” he explained.

Rising Cost of Agricultural Inputs Deepens Crisis

Meanwhile, the cost of farming inputs has surged dramatically, compounding the farmers’ woes. Akahi News gathered that the cost of producing one hectare of maize or rice has risen to nearly ₦2 million, up from ₦600,000 in previous years.

At the start of the 2025 farming season, fertilizer prices skyrocketed — NPK 20:10:10 rose to ₦60,000 per bag, DAP hit ₦96,000, while urea sold for up to ₦55,000 in some Kano rural markets. Herbicides and pesticides also increased by over 80% compared to last year.

The National President of the All Farmers’ Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Arc. Kabiru Ibrahim, warned that the combination of rising input costs and low produce prices could undermine national food security.

“Most of our smallholder and large-scale farmers are groaning under the high cost of fertilizer. If this persists, the goal of achieving food security in Nigeria will remain a mirage,” he cautioned.

Current Market Prices and Shifting Trends

Across most Nigerian markets, a 100kg bag of maize now sells for ₦22,000, paddy for ₦35,000, soybeans for ₦45,000, sorghum for ₦20,000, millet for ₦35,000, and beans for ₦65,000 — with minor regional variations.

Farmers in Taraba, Niger, and other northern states told Akahi News that many are now considering shifting to cash crops due to the lack of profit from food crop cultivation.

“We are already in a mess,” said Salihu Ibrahim, a maize farmer in Niger State. “The prices of farm produce are going down while the prices of everything we need to buy are going up. The disparity is unbearable.”

A Growing Policy Rift

Analysts believe the standoff between farmers and the government underscores a deeper policy dilemma — balancing affordability for consumers with sustainability for producers. As the government pursues cheaper food for Nigerians, thousands of local farmers say they are being priced out of business.

The coming months will reveal whether the administration’s measures can stabilise the food sector or push more Nigerian farmers out of production entirely.

Thanks. By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News