In a bid to understand the challenges facing the agricultural sector, Innovation Publishers paid a courtesy visit to Alhaji Mohammed Dandamma Yabo, the Chairman of the Yam Sellers Association and Arewa Community, Lagos, at Mile 12, Ketu, Lagos on Friday, April 12, 2024.
During the visit, Yabo highlighted the pressing issues of insecurity and high transportation costs affecting the food production sector. He expressed deep concern over the impact of insecurity on the availability and affordability of yams, stating that the current prices of yams have reached unprecedented levels due to these challenges.
Yabo emphasized that the high cost of transporting yams from states like Niger, Benue, and Nassarawa to Mile 12 market is a major obstacle facing their businesses. He noted that while they used to spend between N1 million and N1.2 million to transport a lorry load of yams from Benue State, they now pay between N2.5 million and N3 million for the same quantity, significantly driving up the cost of the produce.
The chairman highlighted the dire situation in Niger State, where farmers are unable to go to their farms due to rampant killings and kidnappings. He revealed that farmers in Niger State often have to pay bandits to farm and harvest in their farmlands, as failure to comply could result in torture or death. This, he said, has created a climate of fear among farmers, impacting food production and availability.
Yabo appealed for government support to address the insecurity challenges, emphasizing the need for farmers to be able to trade freely and without fear. He stated that the association has been engaging with government officials at both federal and state levels to highlight these challenges and advocate for solutions.
Reflecting on his 25 years in the yam business, Yabo expressed that he has never experienced such challenging business conditions. He called for collective efforts to address the issues facing the agricultural sector, hoping for divine intervention to empower leaders to tackle the situation effectively.
