Some agriculture experts have attributed persistent fluctuations in food prices in Nigeria to structural challenges in the sector, despite ongoing government interventions aimed at boosting production.
The experts shared their views in separate interviews with reporters on Sunday in Lagos.
They said that while initiatives such as subsidised inputs, credit schemes, and mechanisation support were commendable, their impact has yet to stabilise market prices.
Mr. Adewale Ogunbiyi, an agricultural economist, said inconsistent policy implementation and high logistics costs continue to undermine intervention programmes.
“Implementation remains the major issue of most government interventions. Farmers still struggle with transportation, storage, and post-harvest losses, which ultimately affect food prices. Even when production improves, poor distribution networks create scarcity in some areas and surplus in others, leading to price fluctuations,” Ogunbiyi said.
He added that insecurity in farming communities disrupts planting and harvesting cycles.
“When farmers cannot access their farms regularly, supply becomes unstable, and that instability reflects in food prices. Until we address security and logistics holistically, interventions alone may not stabilise prices,” he explained.
Mrs. Kikelomo Bello, a food systems analyst, noted that rising input costs have weakened the effect of government support.
“Fertiliser, seeds, and labour costs have increased significantly. Even when farmers receive support, it may not cover the full cost of production. As a result, farmers adjust prices to recover expenses, and consumers feel the impact,” Bello said.
She stressed the need for targeted interventions that address the entire value chain.
“We must go beyond distributing inputs and focus on storage facilities, rural roads, and market access. When post-harvest losses reduce, supply becomes more consistent, and prices will stabilise,” she said.
Mr. Emeka Okafor, a commodity trader, attributed the fluctuations to speculative buying and seasonal supply patterns.
“Some traders hoard produce expecting higher prices later, while seasonal production gaps also contribute to volatility. Interventions should include stronger market monitoring to discourage artificial scarcity,” Okafor said.
He also called for improved data collection to guide policy decisions.
“Reliable data on production and demand will help the government plan better and reduce sudden price swings,” he added.
The experts unanimously urged the Federal Government to strengthen coordination among agencies handling agriculture programmes, saying improved synergy would enhance the effectiveness of interventions and help stabilise food prices nationwide.
