Abdullahi Lukman
A Co-Founder of Tomato Jos, a leading agribusiness based in Jos, has called for urgent government intervention to help local farmers become more competitive and address Nigeria’s growing food crisis.
Mira Mehta, in a recent statement, best expressed concern about the overwhelming presence of foreign nationals in Nigeria’s tomato paste industry, which she said has contributed to the struggles of local farmers and manufacturers.
She explained that many Nigerian food manufacturers are grappling with inefficiencies in production, resulting in high costs and a growing dependence on imported food to meet domestic demand.
“The inefficiency of local production has made food manufacturing less competitive, forcing Nigeria to import significant quantities of food,” she stated.
Mehta also drew attention to the broader economic consequences of food import dependence, explaining that Nigeria imports over 30 percent of its food.
This reliance, she said, is particularly problematic in the context of the country’s fluctuating exchange rate.
“We are importing food with dollars, and with the current exchange rate, this is driving up food prices, making basic necessities more expensive for everyday Nigerians,” Mehta said.
The import-driven food crisis has had far-reaching effects on the Nigerian economy.
Food prices have skyrocketed in recent years, exacerbating the cost of living.
Mehta onserved that Nigerians are spending a disproportionate amount of their income on food compared to their peers in other countries, even within Africa.
This disparity, she argued, is stretching household budgets and leaving little room for other essential needs, such as healthcare, education, and savings.
In an effort to further explain Nigeria’s food price dilemma, Mehta pointed out a paradox that is increasingly evident in the country’s agricultural sector.
“In theory, when food availability increases, prices should drop,” she said, lamenting, however, “But in Nigeria, despite the high availability of food, prices continue to rise. This is a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed.”
Drawing a comparison with Kenya, Mehta noted that while both nations share similar agricultural potential, Nigeria’s food prices have far outpaced those of Kenya in recent years.
“Two or three years ago, Nigeria and Kenya had almost identical GDP per capita, around $2,500! yet, in recent years, food prices in Nigeria have surged far beyond those in Kenya,” she said.
Mehta suggested that Nigeria’s food price inflation can be partly attributed to local farmers’ inability to produce crops at competitive prices.
“Even when imports are dollar-dependent, local farmers in Nigeria still struggle to compete,” she said.
According to Mehta, local farmers face numerous challenges in scaling up production and making agriculture profitable.
The high cost of production, coupled with outdated infrastructure, creates significant hurdles for rural farmers, making it difficult for them to stay competitive in the marketplace.
“The lack of infrastructure and the high cost of farming inputs, like quality seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation systems, severely limits the ability of local farmers to compete with cheaper imports,” she explained.
Mehta maintained that government support is essential for the agricultural sector to thrive.
She called for policies that prioritize local production, enhance infrastructure, and provide incentives to farmers to help them compete globally.
