By Fatima Mukhtar
Farmers in Gombe State are raising alarm over a sharp decline in grain prices as the 2025 harvest season gets underway, warning that the drop threatens their livelihoods and the sustainability of farming in the region.
According to a report by National Accord Newspaper, the prices of major grains such as maize, beans, and rice have plummeted by more than 40 percent across local markets in the state. A 100-kilogram bag of maize now sells for about ₦20,000, down from ₦60,000 last year. While the price of beans has dropped from ₦145,000 to ₦80,000 per bag. Locally processed rice has also seen a steep fall, from ₦130,000 to around ₦100,000.
The development comes amid efforts by the Federal Government to reduce food prices nationwide and stabilize inflation. President Bola Tinubu had recently directed the Federal Executive Council to take urgent measures to slash food prices and boost national food security, according to Reuters.
However, farmers in Gombe say the current market situation is unsustainable. Many attribute the crash to oversupply caused by a bumper harvest, coupled with weak consumer demand and high production costs. Others blame poor storage facilities and limited access to larger markets, which force them to sell their produce at give-away prices.
A maize farmer in Dukku Local Government Area, Musa Adamu, told National Accord that many farmers may be unable to recover their investments this season. “We spent so much on fertilizer and labour, but the market prices have collapsed. Some of us are already in debt,” he lamented.
Agricultural experts warn that the situation, if not addressed, could discourage farmers from participating in the next planting season, leading to reduced food production and worsening rural poverty. They called on both state and federal authorities to introduce price stabilization measures, improve storage infrastructure, and link farmers to alternative markets to protect their incomes.
Gombe State, one of Nigeria’s key grain-producing regions, contributes significantly to national food supplies, particularly maize, rice, and beans. The current crisis highlights the fragility of the agricultural market amid inflationary pressures and weak policy coordination
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