President Bola Tinubu’s directive to crash food prices has drawn criticism from farmers and rice millers, who say government pronouncements cannot substitute for effective planning.
The order, disclosed by Minister of State for Agriculture Sabi Abdullahi, tasked a Federal Executive Council committee with ensuring safe passage of goods across transport routes to cut costs.
“The President has given a matching order,” Abdullahi said at a workshop for Senate correspondents in Abuja.
But stakeholders argue the move overlooks deeper challenges. Kabir Ibrahim, National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, said transport costs alone are not driving food inflation.
“Our farmers are complaining that the prices are so low that they cannot buy fertiliser. The importation has dealt with our farmers,” he said.
Rice millers echoed similar concerns. Peter Dama, chairman of the Competitive African Rice Forum, faulted the government’s approach. “You don’t just come out and give an order to crash prices. It doesn’t work that way,” he said.
Stakeholders also pointed to unfulfilled promises, including the launch of 2,000 tractors in July 2024 that have yet to reach farmers. An agriculture ministry official said distribution awaits presidential approval.
Critics maintain that without subsidies, mechanisation, and stakeholder consultation, the government’s directive risks alienating private operators and further weakening local production.
