By Tayo Mabeweje
On Thursday, November 21, 2024*, Dr. Adetunji Oredipe, Senior Agricultural Economist at the World Bank, delivered the 13th Annual faculty of Agriculture lecture titled *"Militating Rising Food Prices*: The Underlying Issues – *A Close View of the Nigerian Food System" at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife*. The lecture, attended by students, academics, agricultural professionals, policy makers and stakeholders in the agricultural sector, delved into the complex issues driving the continual rise in food prices across Nigeria and offered solutions aimed at stabilizing the nation’s food system.
*The Current State of Food Prices*
Dr. Oredipe began by painting a picture of the current state of food prices in Nigeria, highlighting the alarming rise in prices of staple foods like rice, maize, and cassava. These price increases, he noted, have far-reaching consequences for households’ survival across the country, with the most vulnerable populations facing food insecurity and greater economic hardship. However, Dr. Oredipe emphasized that these price surges are not isolated incidents but rather symptoms of systemic issues in Nigeria’s food production, distribution, and policy landscape.
He pointed out that while food price fluctuations are a global phenomenon, the rate at which food prices have surged in Nigeria is disproportionately high. This, he explained, can be attributed to various internal challenges that the country’s food system faces, such as inadequate infrastructure, poor governance, inefficiency in market linkages, and insufficient agricultural policies.
*Policy and Governance Challenges*
A significant portion of the lecture was dedicated to exploring the role of policy and governance in shaping the agricultural landscape. Dr. Oredipe criticized the lack of consistent policy implementation within Nigeria's agricultural sector. Although successive governments have introduced numerous initiatives aimed at boosting agricultural production, such as subsidies, credit facilities, and grants, these programs often fail to reach their full potential due to poor planning, mismanagement, and corruption.
According to Dr. Oredipe, the government’s agricultural policies need to be more targeted and effectively implemented to ensure that they have a lasting impact. He suggested that policymakers must create more sustainable agricultural reforms, focusing on large scale commercial farms while we do not displace those small-scale farmers, they could form nuclear farms to large farms within their vicinities, improving access to resources such as credit and modern farming equipment, and reducing the barriers to market entry for rural farmers. Dr. Oredipe urged the Nigerian government to prioritize the agricultural sector as a key pillar of the country’s economic development and food security strategies.
*The Transportation and Distribution Bottleneck*
Another critical issue Dr. Oredipe addressed was transportation and distribution. He noted that the inefficiency of Nigeria’s transportation system is a key factor driving up food prices. Poor roads, insufficient storage facilities, and long delays at various checkpoints lead to significant post-harvest losses and the inflation of food prices.
The lecture provided stark examples of how inadequate transportation infrastructure has contributed to the high cost of food. For example, he mentioned the difficulties faced by farmers in remote areas, where the lack of efficient road networks makes it challenging to get produce to urban markets. In many cases, this results in food spoiling before it even reaches consumers, exacerbating food scarcity and driving up prices.
Dr. Oredipe stressed the importance of investing in infrastructure to improve transportation networks across the country. He argued that building better roads, storage facilities, and creating more efficient supply chains would significantly reduce post-harvest losses, thereby lowering food prices and making food more accessible to Nigerian consumers.
*The Role of Middlemen*
Dr. Oredipe also touched on the significant role played by middlemen in Nigeria’s agricultural value chain. These intermediaries, he explained, inflate prices at various stages of food distribution, driving up the cost of food for consumers. While middlemen serve an important function in connecting producers with markets, their excessive involvement in the food chain often leads to unnecessary markups.
To address this issue, Dr. Oredipe suggested a reform of market dynamics, where farmers and consumers can have more direct access to each other, bypassing intermediaries who contribute to price inflation. He recommended leveraging technology, such as mobile apps and digital platforms, to facilitate direct market linkages and ensure fairer prices for both producers and consumers.
*Economic and Demographic Pressures*
Dr. Oredipe also analyzed the impact of economic and demographic trends on Nigeria’s food system. He pointed out that Nigeria's population growth is outpacing agricultural productivity, resulting in higher demand for food than the supply can handle. Furthermore, changing consumption patterns, with more people opting for processed foods, have placed additional pressure on the country’s food production systems.
The growing middle class, Dr. Oredipe explained, is driving up demand for diverse food products, including meats, fruits, and packaged foods, which require different production methods and supply chains. This shift in demand, coupled with poor agricultural output, has contributed to the sharp rise in food prices.
To address this, Dr. Oredipe emphasized the need for investment in agricultural innovation. He advocated for the adoption of modern farming techniques, including precision agriculture, improved irrigation systems, and the use of genetically modified crops, to boost food production and meet the rising demand.
*A Comprehensive Approach to Food Security*
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Oredipe proposed a comprehensive approach to tackling Nigeria’s food price crisis. He called for a multi-stakeholder approach involving the government, agricultural professionals, private-sector actors, and civil society organizations. Collaboration across these groups, he argued, is crucial to addressing the underlying issues and building a sustainable food system.
*Key areas of policy reforms suggested included*:
1. Agricultural Policy Reforms: A greater focus on , urban agriculture to improve its self-sufficiency; protection of existing farm settlements, estates, and clusters from encroachment to non-agricultural uses, promotion of backward integration of firms and industry, invest in value addition on and off-farm to improve the proportion of produce that reached the table all year round, encouraging youth involvement in food production by improving the operating environment, and putting in place a sustainable and commercially viable food bank.
2. Infrastructure Investment: Improvement of roads, storage facilities, and distribution networks to reduce food waste and ensure better access to markets.
3. Market Reforms: Strengthening market linkages and reducing the influence of middlemen by leveraging technology to connect farmers directly with consumers.
4. Promoting Agricultural Innovation: Encouraging the adoption of modern farming technologies and techniques to boost food production and productivity.
Dr. Oredipe’ s lecture was both enlightening and practical, offering valuable insights into the root causes of Nigeria’s rising food prices and proposing actionable solutions for addressing them. His emphasis on policy, infrastructure, market reforms, and innovation provided a roadmap for stakeholders in the agricultural sector to work toward a more resilient and sustainable food system.
*Key Recommendations for Addressing Food Prices*
From the foregoing, Dr Oredipe recommended the need to upscale the nation’s ability to increase the supply of food to stem the tide of high food prices. He advocated further strategic actions that should be adopted to include:
*Government Action on Trade and Supply*: Governments need to maintain open trade and keep the supply of food flowing across states to reduce regional price disparities and shortages.
*Targeted Food Programs*: Governments, with the help of the private and philanthropic community, must adopt urgent measures to strengthen and expand their targeted food programs and safety net initiatives for social protection.
*International Community Support*: The international community — both multilateral and bilateral agencies — must mobilize significant additional fast-track resources to support food production efforts of the government and private sector players.
*National Food Prices Management Plan (NFPMP)*: The government should commit to developing and implementing a National Food Prices Management Plan. This is not an attempt to advocate for food price control, but a strategic plan to manage food prices sustainably.
*Private Sector Driven Large-Scale Commercial Agriculture*: Advocate for decisive action to create an enabling environment for privately driven large-scale commercial agriculture enterprises, like Latin America, where farming is treated as a big-time business.
*Connection to Strategic Food Reserves*: The government needs to directly connect the output of food production programs to strategic commercial food reserve operations, intervening in raw material prices for food and beverage companies, and addressing the major staple food items that contribute to food inflation. Investment in and deepening appropriate structured commodity trade platforms could support these connections to manage the food price system effectively.
*Conclusion*
For Nigeria to build a stable food system, collaboration, investment, and innovation will be essential in the years to come. Dr. Oredipe’ s call for a concerted effort to resolve the systemic issues in the food sector is a timely reminder of the importance of sustainable food production and equitable food distribution in securing the nation’s future. His message underscores the need for a collective responsibility that involves the government, the private sector, and individuals alike in the effort to bring down food prices and ensure food security.
The attendees of the lecture included a diverse range of participants from various sectors, such as students and faculty members from the Department of Agricultural Economics at Obafemi Awolowo University, experts from the World Bank, government representatives, as well as agricultural professionals and policy makers from both the public and private sectors. Key stakeholders in the agricultural value chain, including farmers, traders, and members of civil society organizations focused on food security, were also present. Notable attendees included Prof Simeon Bamire, Vice Chancellor of Obafemi Awolowo University, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Administration : Prof Daramola, Dean Faculty of Agriculture: Prof Tijani, Prof Olalekan Soyelu: Vice Dean, Faculty of Agriculture; Principal Officers of the Obafemi Awolowo University and the University of Ibadan, members National Association of Agricultural Students, members, Nigerian Association of Agricultural Economists, heads of departments, Otunba Taiwo Adeniji, a renowned economist, and Prof Veronica Obatolu, Executive Director of IAR&T, Ibadan. Also present were representatives from farmers’ associations, civil society organizations, private sector stakeholders, and members of the university community. The event was chaired by Aare Egbe-Omo Balogun of Ibadan land, Chief Adegboyega Taofeek Adegoke.
The lecture sparked vibrant discussions on the most viable solutions to the rising food prices in Nigeria, with many in the audience expressing their support for Dr. Oredipe’ s recommendations. Several attendees pointed out the importance of creating a sustainable agricultural ecosystem, one that would empower local farmers and improve the efficiency of food distribution networks, thus ensuring that food prices remain affordable for all Nigerians. Others also emphasized the need for increased collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as the necessity of leveraging modern technology to enhance agricultural productivity.
Dr. Oredipe concluded the event by reiterating that food security is not just an agricultural issue but a critical aspect of national security. He urged all stakeholders to take collective responsibility for improving Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and ensuring that the country’s food system can withstand future challenges.
As Nigeria continues to face rising food prices and increasing pressure on its food systems, the lecture provided much-needed insights into the underlying factors contributing to this crisis and offered actionable solutions that can guide the nation toward long-term food security.
*The Role of Obafemi Awolowo University*
The lecture, hosted by Obafemi Awolowo University, further reinforced the university’s commitment to fostering dialogue and innovation on critical issues affecting Nigeria and the African continent. As one of Nigeria’s foremost institutions of higher learning, Obafemi Awolowo University continues to serve as a platform for intellectual engagement, bringing together key experts and stakeholders to discuss pressing issues such as food security, economic development, and sustainability.
With Dr. Oredipe’ s comprehensive presentation, the university has once again demonstrated its role in shaping the discourse around critical national challenges, offering insights that are not only relevant to policymakers but also to young academics, practitioners, and future leaders.
This lecture has sparked a renewed commitment among attendees to act within their respective spheres of influence, from governmental bodies and the private sector to academic institutions and local communities. In the coming months, it is expected that more initiatives will be launched to implement the practical solutions discussed at the event, with a focus on tackling Nigeria’s food price crisis and securing the nation’s food future.
The event concluded with a call to action for all Nigerians to engage in solutions that would alleviate the challenges posed by rising food prices, focusing on sustainable agricultural practices, effective policy implementation, and collaboration across sectors.
