Rice farmers in Nigeria have attributed the recent spike in the cost of rice to the activities of cartels, unscrupulous farmers, and middlemen who they say are manipulating the market.
Speaking to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, Vice Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr. Sakin Agbayewa, said the continuous price fluctuations were largely man-made despite government interventions.
Agbayewa explained that while the federal government had recently granted temporary waivers to certain companies to import rice and stabilize prices, the gains were short-lived due to manipulation by cartels.
“They warehoused imported rice during the waiver period, only to create artificial scarcity once the waiver ended. Some local farmers also exploit the situation by repackaging Nigerian rice in foreign bags to sell at higher prices,” he said.
He added that although some farmers benefited from subsidies such as free fertilizers and reduced production costs, many failed to cultivate as expected, further worsening supply.
Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Lagos chapter, Mr. Raphael Hunsa, also faulted the way government interventions were distributed. He called for direct engagement with genuine farmers to ensure that support reaches the right hands.
“The price of rice will continue to rise if government does not directly support real farmers. We know the problems in the sector, and we are ready to share solutions if we are invited to the table,” Hunsa said.
He also cautioned farmers against selling off subsidized inputs provided by the government, stressing that they should be used to sustain cultivation.
Meanwhile, traders confirmed that rice prices have surged following the expiration of the import waiver.
At Oja Oba Market, Agege, dealer Mr. Mustafa Aliu said a 50kg bag of rice now sells between ₦70,000 and ₦80,000, up from ₦45,000–₦55,000 just two months ago.
Another trader in Iddo Market, Mr. Temitayo Hakeem, noted that consumer preference for foreign rice continues to drive prices higher, with some bags selling for ₦145,000 to ₦150,000.
According to NAN, a 50kg bag of local rice currently retails between ₦65,000 and ₦80,000, depending on the variety.
