The Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Sabi Abdullahi, said that President Bola Tinubu has given an order to help bring down food prices across the country.
Even though the goal is to solve food shortages and reduce high prices, people living in the northern part of Nigeria are still struggling with many problems.
This situation has caused different reactions, especially from farmers both online and in local communities.
A well-known trader from Isheri Osun, Mrs. Simon, shared her worries about how the government’s plan would affect people like her.
She said, “People in the North are already suffering, so how will this plan help them?”
She added that the government should focus more on improving security in the North instead.
Another trader nearby, Mrs. Lara, agreed with her. She said, “Even though the President wants to help, the violence and insecurity in the North have made it hard for farmers to produce food. This is why prices have gone up.”
Mrs. Toheeb, a popular trader at Ijegun Market, had a different opinion but also raised important points.
She said, “If the government can reduce the cost of food and fertilisers that farmers need, it will be helpful. But the truth is, many people in the North are too scared to go out to their farms because of attacks.”
She explained that only a few brave farmers still work their lands, and this makes food very scarce. As a result, traders buy food in small amounts at high prices.
“And of course,” she said, “traders also want to make a profit. If the government solves the problem from the root, things will get better for everyone.”
Malam Kabir, a farmer from Jos, shared how hard it is to farm under current conditions.
He said, “The government knows that most of the food comes from the North. But with the attacks happening, some farmers are going hungry instead of going to their farms. I don’t think the plan will work fully, but we are still hopeful.”
Another farmer in Lagos, named Femi, said, “I’m waiting to see how the government will carry out the plan. I just hope it will reduce our suffering.”
The National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kabir Ibrahim, also spoke up. He said, “Farmers are complaining that prices are too high. They can’t even afford fertiliser. Imported goods are making things worse for them.”
He strongly urged the government to take this issue seriously.
