Reps Resolves To Investigate Causes Of Drop In Prices Of Farm Produce

The House of Representatives has resolved to investigate the underlying causes of the persistent drop in farm produce prices, assess its impact on farmers’ livelihoods,

food security and national nutrition.

The House urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to, among others, design and implement remedial measures, including establishing structured off-taking arrangements and price support mechanisms, to cushion the adverse effects of the sharp decline in farm produce prices on farmers in the country.

This was a sequel to the adoption of a motion moved by Hon. Bamidele Salam from Osun at plenary on Wednesday.

Moving the motion, Salam noted that there had been a persistent sharp decline in the prices of farm produce across the country, affecting staple crops and perishable agricultural commodities such as cassava, rice, and yams.

He observed that this drastic price decline had resulted in substantial financial losses for farmers who invested heavily in farm inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, transportation, and labour, often financed through loans and cooperative schemes.

The lawmaker also observed that the absence of structured off-taking mechanisms, inadequate storage facilities, weak agro-processing capacity, and poor market linkages have exacerbated post-harvest losses and deepened farmers’ vulnerability to market fluctuations.

He expressed worry that, “if left unaddressed, falling farm prices could drive farmers out of business, cut agricultural investment and productivity, and worsen rural apathy toward farming, thereby threatening

national food security through food shortages, price inflation, and greater reliance on imports.

“The implications extend to national nutrition outcomes, as disruptions in agricultural.

Production and supply chains may limit access to affordable and nutritious food, thereby worsening malnutrition and food insecurity, particularly among vulnerable populations.

Salam acknowledged the strategic role of government intervention through price stabilisation mechanisms, off-taking, buffer stock programmes, and structured commodity off-taking systems in cushioning farmers against market volatility.

Adopting the motion, the House also asked the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security and relevant agencies to strengthen storage, processing, and market access infrastructure urgently, and to implement sustainable agricultural price stabilisation policies that will protect farmers’ investments, enhance productivity, and guarantee fair returns on agricultural produce.