Local farmers have lauded the drop in July food inflation recently released by Nigeria Bureau of Statistics (NBS), while seeking its sustainability.
The farmers said this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria NAN in Lagos.
The Southwest Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr Femi Oke, said the palliatives of the Federal Government to the sector also aided the drop in the July food inflation.
“It is laudable that the food inflation rate dropped in the month as reported by the NBS. It is good that the government is now taking cognisance of agriculture.
“The palliatives to the farmers and subsidisation of agro-inputs by the government has really been helpful this period. Their prices have been subsidised by the government,” Oke said.
He also noted that “We were also pre-informed on when to begin our farming because of effect of climate change. So this helped most farmers prevent loss of crops and capital.
“With these measures the government has put in a place for the benefit of the sector, we are not surprised the prices came down a bit in the month of July.
“If the government continues with its palliative measures definitely drop in food inflation rates will be sustainable.
“With the introduction of mechanised farming that the government is promoting there is no way a farmer cannot produce all year round if he so desires.
“The reason we were not able to produce all year round is because of the nonchalant attitude previously paid to the agriculture sector,” AFAN chairman said.
According to Oke, Currently the price of tomatoes and habenero pepper also known as “Ata rodo’ has drastically dropped, compared with previous months.
