The All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) has raised hopes of relief at the market, warning that cheaper food is possible but not without deliberate action from authorities.
Speaking in Lagos on Tuesday, the Deputy Chairman of AFAN’s Lagos State chapter, Shakin Agbayewa, said staple foods like rice, yam, cassava, and garri could become more affordable by the next harvest season, provided governments at all levels tackle insecurity and bring down the cost of farming inputs.
“The government must be intentional and deliberate,” Agbayewa said, pointing to a familiar list of obstacles squeezing farmers from every angle — costly fertilisers, rising fuel prices, expensive tractor operations, and the ever-present threat of insecurity on farmlands. He noted that these pressures do not stay on the farm; they travel all the way to market stalls, where everyday Nigerians feel them most.
The AFAN official called on both federal and state governments to step up with subsidised inputs, improved rural roads, irrigation infrastructure, and accessible credit for farmers. He also urged closer collaboration between government and farmers’ associations, arguing that workable solutions must reflect the specific realities of each state — not one-size-fits-all policies designed far from the fields.
On the brighter side, Agbayewa expressed confidence in Nigeria’s potential, saying the country has both the land and the labour to feed itself. What is missing, he argued, is political will. With the right policies in place, he said, a strong farming season could naturally ease pressure on food prices and contribute to broader economic stability.
For millions of Nigerians already stretching budgets to put food on the table, the message is cautiously hopeful — but the burden of delivery sits firmly with government.
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