Nigerian farmers seek establishment of commodity boards to streamline food prices
Farmers’ associations across Nigeria have called on the federal and state governments to establish Commodity Boards to regulate and stabilize agricultural produce prices, ensuring fair compensation for farmers. The appeal was made by the Farmers Economic Empowerment Association (FEEMA) during a meeting held in Kisi, Oyo State, drawing participants from Ekiti, Kogi, Kwara, Niger, Ogun, Osun, and Oyo States.
In a resolution signed by the group’s national chairman, Professor Abubakar Ali-Agan, vice-chairman, Alhaji Adam, and secretary, Mallam Bolakale Sidiq, FEEMA emphasized the urgent need for government intervention in setting up mechanisms to improve the agricultural value chain, tackle security threats in rural areas, and promote year-round farming.
The association stressed that the reintroduction of Commodity Boards would help regulate produce prices, ensuring that farmers receive fair market value for their crops. Alongside this, it urged the government to establish a Special Rural Security Force to protect farmers and rural communities from attacks, curb crop theft, and foster a safer agribusiness environment. Addressing the persistent crisis between farmers and herders, FEEMA recommended the creation of a mediation panel to handle disputes, compensate affected farmers, and promote peaceful coexistence, warning that these conflicts pose a major threat to national food security.
Recognizing Nigeria’s vast water resources, the association also called for expanded irrigation schemes to enable year-round farming, reducing dependence on seasonal rainfall. It urged the government to recruit and train more agricultural extension workers, while ensuring that farming inputs—including fertilizers, chemicals, and tractors—are supplied directly to farmers rather than through politically influenced channels, which often lead to inflated prices. To encourage greater youth participation in agribusiness, FEEMA advocated for single-digit interest rate loans and other financial incentives to improve farmers’ access to capital.
Furthermore, the association emphasized the need for an efficient tractor-hiring scheme, making mechanization more accessible to farmers across all states. It insisted that fertilizer distribution be depoliticized, preventing middlemen from inflating prices and ensuring that inputs reach farmers at fair costs. In response to climate challenges, FEEMA urged farmers to adhere to Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) weather advisories, using climate-smart farming techniques to enhance productivity.
Calling for an integrated approach to agricultural development, FEEMA urged the government to adopt its recommendations nationwide to ensure food security, economic stability, and the sustainable growth of Nigeria’s agri-food sector.
Source- Tribune
Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The recommendations put forward by FEEMA highlight key structural issues affecting Nigeria’s agricultural sector. Here’s an expert breakdown of their potential impact:
- Commodity Boards: If implemented effectively, this could stabilize prices, protect farmers from market volatility, and ensure food affordability for consumers. However, transparency in governance will be crucial to prevent inefficiencies.
- Security for Farmers: The call for special rural security forces aligns with broader concerns about rising insecurity in agrarian regions. Strengthening community-based surveillance and early warning systems could also complement this approach.
- Herdsmen-Farmer Conflicts: A structured conflict-resolution mechanism is essential. Encouraging states to adopt ranching and grazing reserves could reduce tensions and protect farmlands.
- Irrigation and Year-Round Farming: Nigeria’s low irrigation coverage (below 10%) limits food production. Expanding access to affordable irrigation will boost productivity and food availability beyond seasonal constraints.
- Direct Input Supply to Farmers: Eliminating political bottlenecks in fertilizer and input distribution would help curb inflation and improve farmers’ profitability.
- Financial Inclusion for Farmers: Soft loans at single-digit interest rates can ease access to capital, but the government must ensure that funds are accessible and not diverted by intermediaries.
- Climate-Smart Agriculture: Farmers following NIMET’s weather forecasts is a step forward, but more investment in climate-resilient crop varieties and precision farming techniques is needed.
FEEMA’s demands, if addressed, could significantly improve farmers’ livelihoods, strengthen food security, and stabilize Nigeria’s agricultural economy. The government must move beyond policy statements and implement tangible reforms that benefit rural communities. Stakeholders, including agribusiness investors and policymakers, must collaborate to create a more sustainable and profitable agricultural sector.
