The House of Representatives on Wednesday called on the Federal Government to urgently roll out policies to stabilise the prices of agricultural produce, amid growing concerns over mounting losses by farmers across the country.
The resolution followed the adoption of a motion moved by the lawmaker representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State, Bamidele Salam, during plenary.
Speaking on the substance of the motion, Salam described agriculture as the backbone of the Nigerian economy, noting its central role in employment generation, rural livelihoods, food security and contribution to the Gross Domestic Product.
He, however, raised alarm over what he called a disturbing trend in the commodities market.
He stated, “There has 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, among others.”
He warned that the situation is already taking a toll on farmers who have committed significant resources to cultivation.
The lawmaker said the development “has resulted in monumental financial losses to farmers who invested heavily in farm inputs such as seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, transportation, and labour, often financed through loans and cooperative schemes.”
Salam attributed the crisis to structural weaknesses within the agricultural value chain, particularly after harvest.
He noted, “The House observes 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 cautioned that failure to intervene could have far-reaching consequences for the sector and the wider economy.
“We are worried 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,” he said.
Salam also drew attention to the broader social implications of the trend, especially for vulnerable groups.
He added that the consequences “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.”
Following the unanimous adoption of the motion, the House urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, in collaboration with relevant agencies, to “urgently design and implement remedial measures by 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.”
Lawmakers also called for the strengthening of storage, processing and market access infrastructure, including expansion of strategic grain reserves and agro-processing zones, as a way of reducing post-harvest losses and moderating price volatility.
In addition, the House charged the government to “develop sustainable agricultural price stabilisation policies and frameworks that will protect farmers’ investments, enhance productivity, and guarantee fair returns on agricultural produce.”
To deepen legislative intervention, the House mandated its Committee on Agricultural Production and Services to probe the root causes of the persistent fall in farm-gate prices and report back within two weeks.
The call by lawmakers comes against the backdrop of a paradox in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, where consumers continue to grapple with high food prices in urban markets, while farmers in producing areas face a glut and falling prices at the farm gate.
In recent harvest cycles, bumper yields in key staples such as cassava, maize and yams, combined with weak aggregation systems, have flooded local markets, forcing prices downward. With limited access to storage facilities like silos and cold chains, many farmers are compelled to sell immediately after harvest to avoid spoilage, often at unfavourable prices dictated by middlemen.
Poor rural infrastructure has compounded the problem. High transportation costs and inadequate road networks limit farmers’ access to larger and more profitable markets, trapping produce within local supply zones where excess supply depresses prices.
The absence of reliable off-takers, such as large-scale processors or government-backed commodity boards—has further exposed farmers to price shocks. In many cases, smallholder farmers who rely on borrowed funds to finance planting seasons are unable to recover their costs when prices crash, pushing them into debt.
Experts have warned that if the trend persists, it could discourage investment in agriculture, particularly among young and smallholder farmers who form the bulk of Nigeria’s food producers. A sustained withdrawal from farming would, in turn, tighten supply in subsequent seasons, potentially triggering sharp food inflation and increased dependence on imports.
It is this cycle, price crash at harvest, followed by scarcity and rising prices, that the House is seeking to address through policy intervention, as concerns mount over the long-term stability of Nigeria’s food system.
