President’s Push to Crash Food Prices: A Looming Threat to Northern Farmers
🖊️ Muhammad Isah Ramat Introduction The Nigerian president’s recent directive to crash food prices across the country has sparked widespread debate. While the move aims to reduce the burden of high living costs on ordinary citizens, many analysts warn that the policy could backfire, especially in the northern region, which produces the bulk of Nigeria’s food supply. Northern Nigeria: The Food Basket Under Siege The northern region accounts for nearly 90% of the food consumed in Nigeria. Despite this, it faces persistent challenges: insecurity from banditry and insurgency, widespread unemployment, and crippling poverty. Thousands of farmers have been displaced from their farmlands, and agricultural output has already declined. Against this backdrop, the president’s plan to force a reduction in food prices may have unintended and damaging consequences. Negative Impacts on Farmers 1. Loss of Income Lower food prices mean farmers will earn far less for their produce. Small-scale far...