The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the underlying causes of the persistent drop in prices of farm produce in Nigeria.
The lawmakers said the probe would assess the impact of the price decline on farmers’ livelihoods, food security, and national nutrition.
- Reps move to establish University of Livestock Development in Gombe
- Senate raises alarm over falling produce prices, high input costs threatening Nigerian farmers
The House also urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to urgently design and implement remedial measures. These include establishing structured off-taking arrangements and price support mechanisms to cushion the adverse effects of falling prices on farmers.
In addition, the House called for efforts to strengthen storage, processing, and market access infrastructure. It emphasized the need to expand strategic grain reserves and agro-processing zones to reduce post-harvest losses and stabilize market prices.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Bamidele Salam.
Presenting the motion, Salam noted that agriculture remains a key pillar of Nigeria’s economy, providing employment, supporting livelihoods, and contributing significantly to Gross Domestic Product, food security, and rural development.
He, however, expressed concern over the persistent decline in prices of staple and perishable crops such as cassava, rice, and yam across the country.
According to him, the sharp drop in prices has led to significant financial losses for farmers who invested heavily in inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, transportation, and labour—often financed through loans and cooperative schemes.
He attributed the situation to the absence of structured off-taking mechanisms, inadequate storage facilities, weak agro-processing capacity, and poor market linkages, all of which have worsened post-harvest losses and increased farmers’ vulnerability to market fluctuations.
Salam warned that if the trend continues, it could force farmers out of business, reduce agricultural investment and productivity, and discourage rural participation in farming. This, he said, could ultimately threaten national food security through shortages, price inflation, and increased reliance on imports.
He added that the situation could also negatively affect national nutrition, as disruptions in agricultural production and supply chains may limit access to affordable and nutritious food, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The lawmaker stressed the importance of government intervention through price stabilization measures, buffer stock programmes, and structured commodity off-taking systems to protect farmers from market volatility.
