A Senior Agricultural Economist with the World Bank, Dr. Adetunji Oredipe, has called on the Nigerian government to address the rising cost of food through the development and implementation of a National Food Prices Management Plan (NFPMP).
Speaking at the Faculty of Agriculture, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, Dr. Oredipe emphasized that decisive action is needed to mitigate the impact of the ongoing food crisis.
Delivering a lecture themed “Mitigating Rising Food Prices: The Underlying Issues – A Close View of the Nigerian Food System,” Oredipe cautioned against relying on food price control measures. Instead, he advocated for a comprehensive framework that would define food crises, prompt timely intervention, and foster collaboration between the government, private sector, and development partners.
He called for an enabling environment to support large-scale commercial agriculture, highlighting the success of similar models in Latin America.
According to him, transitioning to large-scale mechanized farming would not only enhance economies of scale but also provide a pathway for economic growth in rural areas.
“Small-scale agriculture, though vital, cannot deliver the economic potential at scale, even with advanced technologies. Large-scale farming offers stability, food security, and economic opportunities while accommodating small-scale farmers as part of nuclear farms within large commercial operations,” Oredipe said.
The economist emphasized that sustainable agriculture requires secure land tenure, robust infrastructure, affordable energy, and well-functioning financial markets.
He noted that government food production programs must be strategically linked to commercial food reserves to stabilize prices for staple crops like maize, rice, sorghum, soybeans, and cowpea.
Oredipe also recommended promoting urban agriculture, protecting farm settlements from encroachment, and investing in value addition to reduce post-harvest losses. Encouraging youth involvement in agriculture, creating a commercially viable food bank, and maintaining a balanced approach to importation and local production were listed as critical steps to achieving long-term food security.
In his closing remarks, Oredipe stated, “We must move beyond short-term fixes and build a sustainable framework that ensures food availability, affordability, and accessibility for all Nigerians.”