Food prices in Zamfara State, Nigeria, have surged in recent months due to a combination of factors, including the ongoing activities of bandits in the state.
According to DAILY TRUST, dealers of food items have stopped going to rural areas to purchase foodstuffs, fearing attacks from bandits. This has led to shortages in urban areas, and prices have risen accordingly.
For example, a 25kg bag of maize is now selling for N35,000, while a 40-measured size of rice bag is going for N88,000, N86,000, and N84,000 depending on the quality of the rice.
Traders say that another factor contributing to the soaring price of foodstuffs is the difficulties they face in transporting the goods from the few rural areas where they can buy from farmers. Bandits often attack trucks carrying food, forcing drivers to take circuitous routes to avoid them.
The diesel price has also increased in recent months, adding to the cost of transporting food.
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As a result of these factors, food prices in Zamfara State are now at their highest levels in years. This strains household budgets and could lead to food insecurity in the state.
The government urged to provide security and support farmers
The chairman of the Grains Dealers Association in Gusau, Alhaji Yahaya Umar Soda, has called on the government to provide security for food traders and to support farmers.
Soda said that without security, farmers will be unable to produce enough food to meet the population’s needs. He also said that the government should subsidise farmers to help them reduce their costs.
The government has pledged to take action to address the problem of food insecurity in Zamfara State. However, it remains to be seen how effective these measures will be.
In the meantime, the people of Zamfara State face a problematic situation. Food prices are high, and food insecurity is a real risk. The government must take urgent action to address this problem.
