By AMANDA ZAKKA & UCHE ONUZULIKE
In interviews with THE NIGERIA STANDARD at Terminus Market in Jos to mark World Food Day, traders and a farmer lamented rising food prices and their impact on sales and access to food.
Blessing Oche, a palm and groundnut oil seller, said the high cost of buying from suppliers was her major challenge, adding that customers often complained about prices.
“The government should support farmers and producers and help reduce the cost of producing and transporting food items,” she said.
Victoria Pam, owner of V. Royal Restaurant, said rising prices of rice, tomatoes, onions and cooking oil had made it difficult to prepare meals at affordable prices.
She urged Nigerians to avoid food waste and called on the government to take steps to make food more affordable.
Precious Kingsley, a food ingredients seller, said the high cost and perishability of vegetables and tomatoes often led to losses when goods remained unsold.
She advised buyers and sellers to purchase only what they needed and store food properly to reduce waste.
Amaka Uzochukwu, another food ingredients seller, attributed rising prices to high transportation, farming and supply costs.
“Farmers should receive support, and the government should help reduce the cost of transporting food from farms to markets,” she said.
Ngozi Nnuzulike, who sells garri, rice, beans, maize and cocoyam, said rising prices had reduced sales because customers could no longer afford to buy in their usual quantities.
She urged Nigerians to avoid wasting food and support local farmers, while calling on the government to discourage hoarding and improve roads to ensure farm produce reaches markets on time.
A farmer, Fabian, identified the high cost of fertilisers and farm equipment, transportation, insecurity and unpredictable weather as major challenges facing food production.
He called for financial support, affordable farm inputs, modern equipment, better rural roads and improved security.