The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to urgently adopt sustainable agricultural price stabilisation policies to protect farmers’ investments and safeguard Nigeria’s food security.
The call followed the adoption of a Motion of Urgent Public Importance sponsored by Rep. Bamidele Salam, who represents Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State, and seconded by Hon. Kabiru Amadu Mai-Palace of Zamfara State.
Presenting the motion on the floor of the House, Salam raised alarm over the sharp and persistent decline in the prices of farm produce across the country, warning that the trend poses a grave threat to farmers’ livelihoods and the broader economy.
The motion, titled “Need to Develop Sustainable Agricultural Price Stabilisation Policies and Frameworks to Protect Farmers’ Investment in Nigeria,” received unanimous support from lawmakers.
The House subsequently urged the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, to immediately design and implement remedial measures, including structured off-taking arrangements and price support mechanisms to cushion farmers against the adverse effects of falling produce prices.
Lawmakers also mandated the House Committee on Agricultural Services to investigate the underlying causes of the persistent price drop, assess its impact on farmers, food security, and national nutrition, and report back within two weeks with actionable recommendations.
In addition, the green chamber called for improved investment in storage, processing, and market access infrastructure. This includes expanding strategic grain reserves and establishing agro-processing zones to reduce post-harvest losses and stabilise market prices.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Salam noted that agriculture remains a critical pillar of Nigeria’s economy, providing employment, supporting livelihoods, and contributing significantly to GDP and rural development.
He, however, lamented that the drastic fall in prices, particularly for staple crops and perishables such as cassava, rice, and yam has resulted in heavy financial losses for farmers who often rely on loans and cooperative financing to sustain production.
The lawmaker further observed that weak agro-processing capacity, poor market linkages, inadequate storage facilities, and the absence of structured off-taking systems have worsened farmers’ vulnerability to market fluctuations.
The House warned that failure to address the crisis could discourage future investments in agriculture, reduce productivity, and trigger widespread disinterest in farming, especially among rural populations.
It also expressed concern that continued decline in farmgate prices could ultimately lead to food shortages, inflationary pressures, and increased dependence on food imports.
Lawmakers stressed that beyond economic implications, the situation could negatively affect national nutrition outcomes, as disruptions in agricultural production and supply chains may limit access to affordable and nutritious food, particularly for vulnerable groups.
They therefore emphasised the need for government intervention through price stabilisation mechanisms, buffer stock programmes, and structured commodity off-taking systems to protect farmers and ensure long-term food security.
