Farmers in Gombe State have raised concerns over the steep decline in grain prices as the harvest season begins, warning that the trend threatens their income and could discourage agricultural investment.
A survey at the Gombe Central and Tudun Hatsi grain markets revealed that prices of major grains have dropped by more than 40 per cent compared to the same period last year, resulting in a glut and low patronage.
Currently, a 100kg bag of maize sells for N20,000, beans for N80,000, and locally processed rice for N100,000—down from N60,000, N145,000, and N130,000, respectively, in 2024. Similarly, a bag of paddy rice now sells for N25,000, groundnut N95,000, wheat N70,000, millet N22,000, and soybean N60,000, reflecting significant declines across commodities.
Traders attributed the crash to increased supply following expectations of a bumper harvest and the recent importation of food items. Secretary of the Tudun Hatsi Grain Market, Ali Musa, said the situation has been worsened by weak consumer demand.
“People complain of lack of money to buy grains,” Musa said, adding that many traders who stockpiled grains last season incurred losses as prices plummeted. “Most are now reluctant to buy more, preferring to protect their investments.”
Farmers, however, say they are also bearing the brunt of the price collapse. Malam Zakari, a farmer from Hinna in Yemaltu/Deba Local Government Area, noted that rising input costs have eroded profits.
“Farmers cultivating fertiliser-dependent crops like maize, rice, and wheat no longer make profits,” he said.
He urged government intervention through affordable fertilisers, access to credit, and agricultural insurance schemes to stabilise production costs and sustain food security.
