Nigeria’s Food Crisis: Farmers Warn of Rising Costs as Government Pledges Mechanisation and Price Crash Interventions
Nigeria’s Food Crisis: Farmers Warn of Rising Costs as Government Pledges Mechanisation and Price Crash Interventions
By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News
Nigeria’s persistent food crisis continues to spark concern as farmers, millers, and policy experts warn that rising production costs, delayed mechanisation efforts, and mounting reliance on food imports threaten long-term food security. While the Federal Government insists its interventions—from duty-free import waivers to mechanisation drives—will ease the burden on citizens, stakeholders argue that the measures remain too slow and fragmented to make any immediate impact.
Delayed Mechanisation Push Raises Concerns
Sources within the Ministry of Agriculture confirmed to Akahi News that plans to distribute tractors nationwide are still awaiting presidential approval.
An official, who asked not to be named due to lack of authorisation to speak publicly, disclosed that while the Agriculture Minister has submitted a comprehensive distribution list, approval delays linked to trade, finance, customs, and investment ministries have slowed implementation.
“We are waiting for the presidency. The minister has submitted a distribution list for approval. We expect to flag it off soon. But people must understand that such directives take time because they involve multiple agencies. A technical committee will be set up to address stakeholders’ concerns,” the source explained.
Farmers insist that access to tractors and other mechanisation tools is essential for boosting productivity and lowering food prices. As one agricultural economist put it:
“We need machines to support human labour. Without mechanisation, farming costs remain high, yields stay low, and food prices continue to rise. It is that simple.”
Piecemeal Interventions Under Scrutiny
Stakeholders have repeatedly criticised the government’s piecemeal approach to the food crisis, citing duty-free import waivers, directives to crash food prices, and tractor distribution promises as short-term fixes rather than comprehensive reforms.
Dr. Ibrahim Dama, an agronomist, warned that temporary relief measures, such as import licences for food items, risk undermining local production by diverting investment away from Nigeria’s agricultural value chain.
“Yes, reducing transport costs will bring some relief. But the government must also engage rice millers, farmers, and private investors. Import licences should not replace real investment in local production. If we continue like this, we will never be food-secure,” he cautioned.
Similarly, Mrs. Ada Asonye, a representative of smallholder farmers in Benue State, expressed concerns over farmer abandonment.
“Small-scale farmers, especially women, face the greatest risks. If farmers cannot break even, they will abandon production or resort to strike actions. That will deepen the food crisis,” she warned.
Rising Food Imports Highlight Fragile Outlook
Data obtained by Akahi News reveal that Nigeria’s agricultural imports have soared to N2.22 trillion within just six months, underscoring growing dependence on foreign food supplies despite the government’s commitment to import substitution and self-sufficiency.
Economists argue that while duty-free waivers may temporarily ease food prices, they risk discouraging local production if not complemented with infrastructure investment, storage facilities, and input subsidies.
“Import substitution cannot succeed without supporting local producers. Waivers and directives cannot substitute for real policies that lower input costs, provide rural roads, irrigation, and storage systems,” said Professor Eze Chukwuma, a food policy expert.
Farmers Demand Subsidies, Infrastructure, and Policy Certainty
Across Nigeria’s food belt, farmers insist that subsidies for fertilisers, seedlings, and mechanisation are critical to reviving domestic production. They argue that without consistent government support, rising fuel prices, insecurity in rural areas, and currency volatility will continue to erode profits.
“Patience is running thin. Farmers are tired of promises without delivery,” said Asonye. “We need subsidies, rural electrification, and better roads to reduce transport costs. Otherwise, we will keep importing what we should be producing locally.”
Experts Warn of Long-Term Risks
Agricultural economists warn that Nigeria’s reliance on food imports will continue to rise unless the government adopts holistic policies that integrate mechanisation, subsidy support, private investment, and farmer consultations into a single, long-term strategy.
“The danger is clear: if we keep importing food rather than producing it, we will expose ourselves to currency shocks, global price volatility, and job losses,” Dama noted.
The Road Ahead
The Federal Government maintains that its interventions will eventually bring relief, citing upcoming tractor distribution schemes, import substitution plans, and ongoing consultations with stakeholders.
However, with inflation eroding household incomes and food prices climbing daily, stakeholders insist that Nigeria needs urgent, coordinated reforms rather than incremental measures.
Until these reforms materialise, experts warn that food insecurity, farmer frustration, and rising import dependence will continue to threaten Africa’s largest economy.
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