| dc.description.abstract | In recent months, food prices in Nigeria have declined significantly, making staples such as grains, vegetables, perishable and legumes more affordable for consumers. While this development has eased the cost of living for many households amid inflationary pressures, it has triggered serious concern among farmers, who report that the low prices undermine their ability to cover production costs — particularly fertilizer, pesticides, seeds, and labour. Many smallholder farmers now say they incur losses after harvests, threatening future agricultural investment, productivity, and long-term food security.
This brief examines the drivers of falling food prices, evaluates the impact on farmers’ incomes, explores risks to national food security, and identifies policy and legislative actions to balance consumer welfare and agricultural sustainability. Evidence from national statistics, market data, and global agricultural
economy research underpins the analysis.
To achieve a more balanced agricultural pricing regime that protects both consumers and farmers, the following actions are hereby recommended:
✓ The National Assembly through its Senate and House Committees on Agriculture, the Senate and House Committees on Finance and the Senate and House Committees on Budget and National Planning through their oversight function, may wish to legislate and implement crop-specific Minimum Support Prices (MSPs) that guarantee farmers a floor price above production cost, especially for staples like rice, maize, and cassava.
✓ The National Assembly through its Senate and House Committees on Works & Housing; Senate and House Committees on Agriculture; and the Senate and House Committees on Budget & Appropriations, through its oversight function, may wish to advise the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture on the need to invest in storage facilities, agro processing, and transport infrastructure to reduce post-harvest losses and improve market access for farmers.
✓ The National Assembly may wish to urge the Federal Government to shift from blanket subsidies to targeted input support using smart delivery systems (e.g., e-vouchers) that reduce cost disparities for farmers. | en_US |
