Some members of rice farmers’ associations in Nigeria have attributed the persistent increase in rice prices to the activities of unscrupulous farmers, middlemen, and cartels within the sector.
They claim that these groups manipulate the market by hoarding supplies and creating artificial scarcity, which frustrates government efforts to stabilize the price of rice.
The Vice-chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mr. Sakin Agbayewa, highlighted that although the federal government had introduced waivers to enable rice importation and implemented farming supports like cost reductions and fertilizer provisions, many local farmers did not fully cultivate their rice farms.
Meanwhile, cartels took advantage of the situation by stockpiling rice and now create scarcity once import waivers end.
Additionally, some local farmers reportedly repackage local rice in foreign bags to sell at higher prices, exploiting Nigerians’ preference for foreign brands.
This, according to Agbayewa, reflects dishonesty within the farming and marketing chain.
Raphael Hunsa, Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) Lagos State chapter, called for better government engagement with genuine local farmers to address the issue.
He warned that without proper support and involvement of real farmers in policymaking, rice prices will continue to rise. Hunsa also urged farmers not to sell off government-provided inputs but to use them to increase local rice production.
Rice dealers confirmed that the current price for a 50kg bag of local rice ranges between ₦65,000 and ₦80,000, a significant increase from ₦45,000 to ₦55,000 two months ago.
The demand for foreign rice also plays a role in sustaining high prices, with some bags selling for as much as ₦145,000 to ₦150,000, depending on consumer preference.
