Farmers Warn of Deepening Food Crisis, Blame Fuel Subsidy Removal, Insecurity
Farmers in Nigeria are forecasting more challenging times ahead for the country as it grapples with the ongoing food inflation crisis.
They attribute the worsening situation to the removal of fuel subsidies, which has driven up transportation costs for farm produce, and persistent insecurity hindering farming activities.
Expressing their concerns, farmers cautioned that Nigerians should brace themselves for further increases in the prices of food items, with the crisis likely to persist until August.
Kabir Ibrahim, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, emphasized the need for the Federal Government to avoid knee-jerk reactions, such as opening borders to flood the market with imported foods. Such actions, he warned, could undermine the progress made in the agricultural sector.
Ibrahim highlighted seasonal variations as contributing factors to the recent hikes in prices of farm produce like tomatoes, peppers, and yams.
He explained that vegetable prices typically surge during this period due to challenges in production caused by rainfall patterns. However, he anticipated a price reduction as the season progressed into November through January.
While addressing the issue of insecurity, Ibrahim stressed its detrimental impact on food security in Nigeria. He pointed out that despite increased insecurity, there were fewer challenges in 2023 compared to previous years.
He also underscored the significance of addressing the high exchange rate and the removal of subsidies on petroleum products, which have escalated transportation and distribution costs for farm produce.
Moreover, Ibrahim emphasized that the ongoing crisis primarily stems from the affordability rather than the availability of food. He reiterated that food security encompasses not just the availability but also the affordability of food within reasonable limits.
Ibrahim reiterated the necessity for the government to refrain from resorting to mass food importation as a solution to the crisis. Doing so, he cautioned, could undermine the hard-earned gains in the agricultural sector.
Instead, he urged comprehensive measures addressing the underlying causes of the crisis to ensure sustainable food security for all Nigerians.
