Lagos Rice Price Reduction Sparks Christmas Cheer
Rice farmers in Lagos State are predicting a significant drop in rice prices during the upcoming Christmas season following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu's strategic price reduction on Lagos Rice. This development comes as welcome news to Nigerian consumers facing economic challenges.
The price slash, announced recently, saw the cost of a bag of Lagos Rice drop from ₦64,000 to ₦57,000, creating what farmers describe as a competitive environment that could benefit consumers during the festive period.
Farmers Applaud Government's Strategic Move
Mr Sakin Agbayewa, Vice-Chairman of the All Farmers Association in Southwest and Lagos State, praised the state government's decision in an exclusive interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He emphasized that this price adjustment would likely drive healthy competition in the sector.
"The Lagos State Government pegging the price of a bag of rice at ₦57,000 is a good development," Agbayewa stated. "We want to believe that with this competitive price and competition, maybe in one week or two weeks, the price of rice will further drop."
Agbayewa provided crucial context about current market prices, noting that imported rice sells between ₦52,000 and ₦56,000 depending on location. He explained that prices are lower near border areas due to reduced transportation costs.
Quality Versus Price: The Local Advantage
The farmers' representative made a compelling case for choosing locally produced rice despite the slightly higher price point. He highlighted significant quality and safety differences that consumers should consider.
"At ₦57,000 per bag, consumers are eating quality food. From production to milling plants, processing, shelf, market and consumer, you might be looking at one year," Agbayewa explained.
He raised concerns about imported rice quality, suggesting that cheaper alternatives might come with hidden risks. "Consumers may be buying rice that has been stored for three to five years or even expired," he warned.
Agbayewa strongly advocated for Lagos Rice, emphasizing that "when you buy Lagos rice, you are looking at food safety, nutritional value, and everything it has to offer at that price. It is a good buy."
Call for Continued Farmer Support
Mr Raphael Hunsa, Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria in Lagos State, echoed the positive sentiment while calling for sustained government support for local farmers.
"The government is always on top in terms of policy decisions that affect the people," Hunsa commented. "Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu dropping rice prices is a great move."
Hunsa emphasized the relationship between production levels and pricing, noting that "if production is low, definitely the demand will be high, and subsequently the price will be high too." He described the current price peg as "most beneficial to Nigerians" during this season.
The rice farmers' leader made a passionate appeal for continued government backing, stating "we urge the government to continue to support rice farmers to increase our production, and subsequently, the price of rice and other staples will continue to drop."
Looking ahead to the Christmas celebrations, Hunsa expressed optimism that "if we have more rice farmers producing all year round, definitely the price of rice will continue to be stable. This Christmas is now at our door, and everyone will celebrate well with this drop in price."
The interviews conducted on Sunday in Lagos revealed a unified optimism among farming communities that this strategic price reduction will create a ripple effect across the market, potentially making the Christmas season more affordable for millions of Nigerian families.
