Nigeria at 65: Farmers hail food price stability, demand stronger support

Some farmers’ associations have lauded the Federal Government’s efforts in stabilising food prices since last year but urged increased welfare and a better environment for local farmers.

The associations’ leaders made the call in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Lagos.

The Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) Southwest and Lagos State, Mr Femi Oke, praised government efforts but sought stronger policies to boost productivity.

“Looking at the food sector itself, we can say prices of commodities slightly went down. This was because the present administration was able to take some measures.

“The import waivers by the President and other measures helped crack down some prices.

“But apart from the prices going down, we farmers are not too happy, because we cannot sustain the food sector through imports.

“It will not sustain us in farming, if more importation is being done.

“The government still needs to take some measures, and the measures should recognise farmers, especially in provision of necessary inputs to all,” Oke said.

According to him, provision of farm inputs, opening rural roads and creating an enabling environment will enhance productivity and ensure food security across the country.

“The state governors should align with farmers, particularly heads of farmers’ associations, so they can identify critical routes in bad condition affecting produce transportation.

“Also, the abandoned farm extension offices should be revived,” he added.

On his part, Mr Godwin Egbebe, National Publicity Secretary, Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN), said achievements of the administration in agriculture carry two sides.

“Basically, in the food sector prices have gone down. But the assessment is twofold, because not everybody has the purchasing power to buy produce.

“As a sector, we used to experience egg gluts due to high productivity. Presently, many farmers are out of business because of costly inputs, so gluts no longer occur.

“When people are out of business, scarcity of food results from reduced cultivation. Though prices are stable, many people cannot afford food,” Egbebe said.

He explained that price stability was largely government-driven but remains artificial, as farmers still cannot produce as much as expected.

“Our farmers need to return to farming. We cannot rely on food import waivers.

“We can say food inflation is coming down, yet many still cannot afford to eat. The government must follow through on its policies.

“Let people themselves testify to the impact of government policies on food, and not government declaring results when citizens cannot confirm them,” he added.