The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) and the National Apex of Cashew Farmers, Processors, and Marketing Cooperative Limited have disputed the claim by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security that the recent drop in food prices is due to higher local production.
Both groups warned that the decline in prices could be short-lived unless the government provides meaningful support to farmers.
AFAN acknowledged the current trend but noted that several other factors contribute to lower prices.
Kabir Ibrahim, AFAN’s President, explained that seasonal harvest periods and the timing of produce availability play a major role in price fluctuations.
He also pointed out that last year’s zero-tariff imports and the reduced purchasing power of consumers have contributed to falling prices.
According to him, these conditions mean that low prices may not continue unless farmers are encouraged and supported to return to the fields.
AFAN emphasized the need for urgent measures to reduce the cost of inputs, such as fertilizers, chemicals, and labor, since farmers are facing rising expenses despite higher yields.
Ibrahim stressed that support in these areas is critical for sustaining agricultural production.
The association also highlighted the growing involvement of young people in farming and the increased output compared to previous years. Still, it noted that farmers, like other Nigerians, are affected by economic pressures when purchasing goods they do not produce themselves.
To stabilize the sector, AFAN called for a “state of emergency” on input costs and recommended a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) system for farm products to help farmers maintain production and prevent future shortages.
Similarly, Yunusa Enemali, President of the National Apex of Cashew Farmers, criticized the minister’s view as disconnected from farmers’ realities.
He argued that farmers often produce to meet loan obligations rather than because of incentives from the government.
Enemali highlighted the lack of storage facilities, explaining that many farmers are forced to sell produce at low prices to prevent spoilage.
He also criticized poor infrastructure, market instability, and the absence of a regulatory body to prevent exploitation by middlemen during harvest periods.
He questioned whether the minister truly understands farming economics, pointing out that price swings for products like tomatoes and rice leave both farmers and consumers vulnerable.
Enemali stressed that the government should not claim credit for the temporary decline in prices, noting that broader challenges, including transport and infrastructure issues, remain unresolved.
He concluded that policymakers are not fully aware of the pressures farmers face on a daily basis.
