By Comfort Asemota
Farmers’ associations in Lagos State have forecast a further reduction in the price of rice ahead of the festive season, following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s decision to slash the price of Lagos-produced rice to N57,000 per 50kg bag.
The farmers made the prediction in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos.
Vice Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Southwest zone (Lagos chapter), Mr. Sakin Agbayewa, commended the state government for what he described as a strategic move that will likely stimulate competition and drive prices lower.
“The Lagos State Government pegging the price of a bag of rice at N57,000 is a good development,” he said. “With this competitive pricing, we believe that within one or two weeks, the price of rice will further drop.”
Agbayewa noted that foreign rice currently sells between N52,000 and N56,000, depending on the location, with border communities offering the lowest prices due to reduced transport costs.
He also emphasized that Lagos rice offers strong value for money:
“At N57,000 per bag, consumers are eating quality food. When you buy Lagos rice, you are assured of food safety, nutritional value, and quality. I would prefer Lagos rice at N57,000 than buy cheaper, lower-quality rice.”
Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Lagos State chapter, Mr. Raphael Hunsa, also applauded the price reduction, describing it as a consumer-friendly policy.
“The Lagos State Government pegging rice at N57,000 this season is highly beneficial to Nigerians,” Hunsa said. “If production is low, prices naturally rise. With this initiative, more people will enjoy affordable rice this Christmas.”
He urged the government to continue supporting local farmers to expand production, noting that increased year-round farming would help stabilise prices and ensure a steady supply.
“This Christmas is at our door, and everyone will celebrate well with this drop in price,” he added.
