We welcome the encouraging news that food prices are finally easing across the country. For millions of Nigerian households, any relief – no matter how modest – is both timely and necessary. Yet, as we have consistently argued, price stability is not a miracle; it is the outcome of deliberate choices, structural reforms, and sustained investment in the agricultural backbone of our economy. It is therefore reassuring to hear the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, acknowledge that the real work now lies in confronting the high cost of agricultural inputs.
We agree with the minister: fertiliser, irrigation, fuel, and other essential inputs remain cripplingly expensive. As long as these costs remain high, the recent drop in food prices will be temporary at best. Nigerian farmers – especially smallholders who produce over 70 percent of our food – cannot compete or scale when their cost of production keeps rising. If the federal government is serious about sustaining this positive trajectory, then addressing input affordability must become a national economic priority.
The minister’s remarks at the Senate public hearing reveal a critical mindset shift that we must commend. For years, agricultural policymaking in Nigeria has been dominated by grand announcements, silo-focused interventions, and urban-based storage projects that contributed little to rural resilience. Now, at last, we hear of a move toward community-level storage, with 85 percent of new silos planned for rural areas. This is the kind of decentralised thinking we have long advocated.
Community silos can drastically cut post-harvest losses-which account for up to 40 percent of output in some value chains. They empower rural farmers, reduce waste, stabilise prices, and strengthen local economies. We believe this pivot represents one of the most promising agricultural reforms in years, especially when backed by funding from the New Growth Infrastructure Fund and the National Agriculture Development Fund.
However, we must emphasise that cheaper inputs and better storage cannot achieve their full impact without tackling the third major barrier: farmer access to affordable credit. The minister’s commitment to improved financing mechanisms is a step in the right direction. But Nigeria’s agricultural credit system remains plagued by bureaucracy, weak enforcement, and a lack of trust between banks and farmers. We urge the federal government to work closely with cooperatives, state governments, and private sector players to design farmer-friendly models that are transparent, digital, and scalable.
We also note the minister’s assurance that reforms will go beyond staple crops to include tomatoes, onions, peppers and other produce that daily shape the realities of Nigerian kitchens. This broader lens is essential. Food security cannot be reduced to grains alone; it must reflect the full diversity of what Nigerians eat.
Still, we must remind the government that genuine food security will remain elusive unless our policies recognise the changing realities of climate, security, and rural livelihoods. High fuel costs still threaten irrigation and transportation. Poor rural roads continue to undermine distribution. And insecurity across many farming belts remains a shadow over every projection of increased productivity.
As we look toward 2026 – the minister’s stated target for greater stability – we urge the government to deepen coordination across agencies, prioritise mechanisation, and ensure accountability in every programme tied to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
