The House of Representatives in Nigeria has decided to investigate why the prices of farm produce keep dropping and how this is affecting farmers, food supply, and nutrition in the country.
The lawmakers also asked the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and other relevant agencies to take action. They want measures like proper buying systems and price support to help reduce the losses farmers are facing.
This decision followed a motion raised by Bamidele Salam from Osun State during a plenary session.
While presenting the motion, Salam said there has been a serious and continuous drop in the prices of farm produce across Nigeria. This affects common crops like cassava, rice, and yam.
He explained that many farmers are losing money because they spent a lot on seeds, fertilizers, chemicals, transport, and labour. Many of them even took loans or used cooperative funds to finance their farming.
Salam also pointed out key problems such as lack of proper buyers, poor storage facilities, weak processing systems, and poor access to markets. These issues lead to waste and make farmers more vulnerable to price changes.
He warned that if nothing is done, many farmers may stop farming. This could reduce food production, discourage investment in agriculture, and increase dependence on food imports.
He added that the situation could also affect nutrition, as people may find it harder to access affordable and healthy food, especially vulnerable groups.
The House therefore urged the Ministry of Agriculture and other agencies to improve storage, processing, and market access.
They also called for strong policies to stabilize prices, protect farmers, and ensure they earn fair income from their produce.
