Some farmers’ associations in Lagos State have predicted a further drop in the price of rice ahead of the yuletide following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s recent reduction of Lagos rice from N64,000 to N57,000 per bag.
The farmers shared their views in separate interviews on Sunday in Lagos.
The Vice Chairman of the All Farmers Association, Southwest Lagos State chapter, Mr Sakin Agbayewa, commended the state government for the strategic pricing move, saying it would likely introduce competition in the sector, thereby further lowering rice prices.
“The Lagos State Government pegging the price at N57,000 is a good development.
With competition, we expect the price to fall further within one or two weeks,” Agbayewa said.
He highlighted the quality benefits of Lagos rice compared to imported alternatives, noting that foreign rice sold between N52,000 and N56,000 per bag may have been stored for years, potentially affecting food safety and nutritional value.
Mr Raphael Hunsa, Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, also welcomed the initiative, urging the government to continue supporting rice farmers to ensure production increases, which would stabilise prices further.
“If we have more rice farmers producing year-round, prices will continue to be stable. This Christmas, everyone will celebrate well with this price drop,” Hunsa said.
The President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Muhammad Magaji, reaffirmed the association’s commitment to enhancing agricultural production and food security nationwide.
Speaking at his inauguration during the 2025 National Agricultural Showground in Nasarawa State, Magaji encouraged farmers to support the Tinubu administration’s efforts to reposition agriculture.
He emphasised the importance of youth participation in agriculture, highlighting their role in cultivating crops, raising livestock, adding value, and sustaining the nation’s agricultural sector.
“Agriculture must evolve beyond survival to become a sector of prosperity, innovation, and national pride,” said the AFAN National Youth Leader, Chief Tunde Adeyemi.
Adeyemi outlined plans to expand access to training, finance, mechanisation tools, drones, irrigation systems, and digital agriculture.
Structures will also be established across all states to give young farmers a stronger voice and promote collaboration at the local level.
The newly elected 27-member AFAN National Executive Council comprises leaders from various agricultural sectors, including arable crops, livestock, fisheries, horticulture, roots and tubers, industrial and tree crops, as well as youth and women leaders.
The council will work closely with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to boost national food production, enhance food security, and foster investment and partnerships.
Source: BusinessDay
Image Credit: Tribune Online
