Ondo maize farmers seek relief as low prices, rising costs threaten sector

By Boye Oyeyemi

Maize farmers in Ondo State are struggling with rising production costs and falling prices, making it difficult to recover their investments, the state Chairman of the Maize Farmers Association, Akinrinade Kayode, has said.

According to Akinrinade, locally produced maize was losing its competitive advantage as cheaper imported supplies entered the market, making it increasingly difficult for farmers to cover the cost of cultivation.

He said the price disparity had become more pronounced in recent years, noting that maize that sold for about N550 per kilogramme in 2024 was now selling for approximately N220, while the prices of fertiliser, seeds and other farm inputs remained high.

“This is affecting the farmers because the cost of producing maize remains high. Our farmers have the capacity to meet the needs of poultry producers if they receive the necessary support,” he said.

Against this background, Akinrinade urged the government to make fertiliser, seeds and other essential inputs more affordable while reviewing policies that allow imported maize to compete heavily with produce from Nigerian farmers.

In addition to market and production challenges, he said irregular rainfall during the planting period was another concern, warning that inadequate moisture at the early stages of cultivation could affect germination and reduce yields.

Despite the weather challenges, Akinrinade said farmers could still take advantage of short-duration maize varieties within the remaining planting window, adding that recent rainfall had provided some relief to farmers already cultivating maize and cassava.

He also encouraged farmers to remain engaged in agricultural activities, saying improved security in farming areas had encouraged more people to return to their fields. He stressed that affordable inputs, stable market conditions and continued protection of farming communities were essential to making agriculture profitable and increasing food production in Ondo State.