Culled from Daily Trust
Unlike in recent past years, Irish potatoes in Plateau State’s potato farming communities yielded large tubers and in abundance this year. Potato farmers in the state are therefore celebrating bumper harvests, saying the development is a welcome relief and a significant boost to their income and livelihood, after several years of poor yields.
The abundance and accompanying glut in the supply of the commodity have, unfortunately, triggered a sharp drop in prices, with a 50kg bag, earlier sold at between N150,000 and N170,000, now selling for between ₦30,000 and ₦40,000. The crash in prices has, however, attracted many buyers to the potato market in Jos.
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Plateau is known to be the highest producer of potatoes in Nigeria, while the country is one of the largest producers of the product in Africa.
According to the project coordinator of the Potato Value Chain Support Project, assisted by the African Development Bank (AFDB), Thomas Muopshin, Plateau State accounts for 90 per cent of the potato production in Nigeria, as farmers cultivate the crop three times a year.
He said, “Countries like Chad, Ghana, Niger, Benin, among other African countries, have agents in Nigeria who supply them the crop at regular intervals.”
But in the last five years, cultivating the crop became increasingly challenging, leading many farmers to abandon their farms.
Cause of bumper harvest
Some years back, potato-producing communities in the state experienced poor harvests due to various factors. The farmers said the crop had been affected by diseases such as potato late blight, which wiped away farms; bacterial wilt, which attacks the plant individually; persistent dew that results in fungal disease; an increase in foliar disease; and reduced photosynthesis, all of which impacted the growth and yield of the crop.
However, in the current rainy period, the farmers said they experienced favourable conditions contributing to the bumper harvest in the state.
According to Solomon Albert, a potato farmer, “We are thrilled with the bumper harvest this year, and it is largely due to the absence of dew that plagued our farms in previous years. In the past, the problem of dew became challenging for farmers who depended on agriculture as a means of livelihood.
“This year, however, there is a change in the weather. So, majorly, the change of weather and the absence of dew have contributed to an abundant yield in the crop.”
Mr. Albert noted that in the past, when they planted one bag of seed, they would hardly harvest four bags, mostly leading to scarcity and price hikes.
However, this year, farmers who planted one bag of seed harvested 15 to 20 bags, he said, adding that “This is amazing because it’s been a long time since we recorded such a bumper harvest. Not only is the crop in abundance, but it also yielded large tubers.”
A female farmer, Mrs Victoria Bulus, who expressed joy over the abundance of the crop this year, attributed the success to the absence of diseases such as late blight and bacterial wilt, which had been challenging in potato farming.
Mrs Bulus said, “This year, the rain arrived later than usual, which proved beneficial for our potato crops. The delayed rainfall prevented diseases from attacking the crop, which significantly contributed to the abundant harvest we’re experiencing. As a result, our potato yields have been impressive, with large tubers.
“This favourable weather condition has been a game-changer for us, enabling us to reap a bountiful harvest and improving our livelihoods.”
She said that in the past, diseases had destroyed countless farms, causing farmers to lose a huge amount of capital.
Our challenges – Farmers
The farmers, however, lament that despite the success recorded this year in Irish potato farming, they face numerous challenges, including the high cost of inputs and implements and mordern storage facilities, which hinder development in the production of the crop in the region. They noted that addressing the challenges would help boost potato production in the state.
Mrs Bulus said, “We need the government to subsidise the costs of farming inputs, as the prices of fertilisers and other equipment are prohibitive, forcing many farmers to reduce the size of their farms.
“If we could access these inputs at affordable prices, we would record even more abundance in harvest than this year.
“We also urge the government to provide security for us. Many farmers are unable to access their farms due to insecurity, a significant challenge that results in the loss of lives and crops.
“If the government could intervene to ensure the safety of farmers, that would go a long way in boosting the business,” she added.
Mr Albert, who shares the same views as Mrs Bulus on the security situation, acknowledged that many farmers in their area only farmed close to their homes for fear of the unknown, stressing that many farmers only managed to cultivate small farms.
He said, “Due to the current security challenges, our people no longer go to their farms located far from their homes. If people had the opportunity to go far, food prices would come down because many would go back to the farms.
Lack of storage facilities reason for low prices
Mr Albert, speaking to Weekend Trust, said the fall in price has left them with mixed feelings; with many lamenting that they’re forced to sell at low prices due to the lack of storage facilities.
They say the lack of storage facilities has impacted their profits, stressing that the availability of storage facilities would make the business more profitable.
Amina Matthew, another female farmer, lamented that, “We are compelled to sell our produce immediately after harvest. Normally, during the dry season, we can store it locally, but since the rains are ongoing, storage is a challenge.”
Philomena Maren, another female farmer, lamented the lack of storage facilities, noting that they could hardly keep the potatoes for more than two weeks after harvest.
“We can only store them for about two weeks at most. Anything beyond that, they spoil due to the lack of proper storage facilities. This is a rainy season crop, and we need better storage facility.
“We call on the government to provide us with modern storage facilities so that we can store our produce and sell it at a better price later,” she appealed.
Buyers excited
Buyers at the Yandakali Market, expressed joy over the crash in the price of the commodity, saying it has given them an opportunity to buy the product.
David Spencer, a buyer at the market expressed satisfaction with the price, saying the product is now affordable to the common man. “I am from Lagos and the product is very expensive there but cheap here and readily available.”
Another consumer, Lawal Garba, said “the product is affordable for a common man, uunlike before when one couldn’t afford it. Two years back one ccouldn’t afford it, but today, we can. For us in Jos, we thank God for the crash in price. It is a food staple that everyone likes but because of its scarcity in the past, we it was difficult to eat.
Mejidda Ibrahim, another buyer said “I am happy to say that potato prices have finally come down to a reasonable level. It’s amazing how affordable they’ve become. It’s a huge relief, and we’re enjoying adding them to our meals again. The price drop has made a big difference for us, and we’re grateful for it.”
Daily Trust
