Farmers praise decline in food inflation and strive for sustainability – EnviroNews

According to the Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), local farmers have praised the decline in food prices in July 2024.

In separate interviews, farmers also called for the price reduction to be sustainable.

Mr Femi Oke, South-West Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), said the Federal Government’s palliative measures for the sector had also contributed to the decline in food prices.

“It is commendable that the food inflation rate has come down this month as reported by the NBS. It is good that the government is now taking note of agriculture.

“The palliative measures for farmers and the subsidisation of agricultural inputs by the government were really helpful during this period. Their prices were subsidised by the government,” Oke said.

He also noted, “We were also informed in advance about when to start farming due to the impact of climate change. This has helped most farmers avoid crop and capital losses.”

“Given these measures taken by the government for the benefit of the sector, we are not surprised that prices fell slightly in July.

“If the government continues with its relief measures, the decline in food inflation rates will definitely be sustainable.

“With the introduction of mechanised farming, which the government is promoting, it is no longer possible for a farmer not to produce all year round if he wants to.

“The reason we have not been able to produce all year round is the indifferent attitude towards the agricultural sector that we have adopted so far,” said the AFAN chairman.

According to Oke, the price of tomatoes and habanero peppers, also known as “Ata Rodo”, has dropped drastically compared to previous months.

“Some state governments have also started to intervene and support various value chains in the agricultural sector.

“However, we need enough extension workers to teach farmers appropriate cultivation techniques for higher yields.

“They should be educated about seed varieties, soil testing, use of fertilizers and agrochemicals to increase yields,” he said.

Mojeed Iyiola, chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) in Lagos State, also called on the government to make greater efforts to stabilize food prices.

“The reason for the decline in food inflation rate in July is largely due to the harvest season, as confirmed by local farmers.

However, if appropriate measures are not taken and maintained after some time, there is a possibility that we will return to the status quo.

“Last week and this week, two tubers of yams were sold for 5,000 naira, but a few weeks ago, one tuber was selling for as much as 7,000 naira. This fall in prices is only sustainable for a while because of the harvests.

“However, to a limited extent, government relief measures for the sector have also contributed to the decline in some food prices.

“We hope that the government’s intervention in this sector will be sustainable, so that we do not see price reductions for a few weeks and then price increases in the weeks that follow.

“We need a programme that will cushion the impact of the problems that have led to food price increases, at least for a while,” Iyiola said.

He also reiterated the importance of investing in irrigation systems to ensure consistent harvests.

“Thanks to insufficient rainfall, we also need to invest in irrigation systems to achieve continuous harvests.

“Irrigation systems will help us ensure timely harvests and stabilize food prices.

“If the majority of local farmers wait for the rain, it will have a devastating impact on food prices,” said the PAN chairman.

By Mercy Omoike