Some agriculture experts have proffered workable solutions to the Federal Government as measures to cut down the rising food prices.

The experts disclosed this in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria NAN on Friday in Lagos.

They harped on the importance of increased agriculture funding and reduction of cost of cultivation to cut down food prices.

Mr Omotunde Banjoko, an agriculture expert, called for increased investment in agro-production processes.

“To bring down the cost of food is to bring down the cost of production. We have to critically examine the factors that are affecting the cost of production.

“The cost of labour is increasing on a daily basis. About a year ago to pay a farm labourer we spent N2,000 to N3,000 per day. Now we spend as much as N4,000 to N5,000 per day.

“Some years back a tonne of maize sold for N70,000 to N80,000, now it sells for as high as N700,000 to N740,000, so how can the cost of poultry produce drop?

“Farmers that are still able to cultivate have to bear these costs and subsequently the ultimate consumers,” Banjoko said.

He also identified power as another factor contributing to the increase in food prices in the country.

“Some of our local farms run on generator for electricity. To power their irrigation systems, to keep the birds warm in poultry, among others.

“To curb the incessant hike in food prices, we have to start investing more in areas that have direct impact on food production.

“If we are ready to avert the looming hunger, we must invest more in agriculture.

“We should start putting our funds into areas that will bring down the cost of food production and food inflation.

“Also,  the government must address the issue of insecurity in our farms, we must boost the morale of our farmers and give them confidence to go back safely to the farms for cultivation,” he said.

On his part, Mr Joel Oduware, agriculture expert, lauded the Federal Government on its steps to quell the rising food inflation in the country.

“The government has recently taken some drastic measures to address the rising food costs in the country and this is highly commendable.

“Imports waivers have been granted for imports of some raw materials for food manufacturing and processing industries.

“Like for flour, noodles, spaghetti and some essential consumables. Some raw materials for rice milling have subsidised import duties also, this in the long run will help cut down the price of rice.

“With all these concessions in place, between now and the next six months, the prices of food will definitely drop,” Oduware said.

He expressed optimism that food prices would crash in the next couple of months.

“Imports of agricultural inputs such as agrochemicals, fertilisers, drugs for animal husbandry, feed additives, have also been declared duty-free for the next six months to cut down food inflation.

“This will have a cumulative effect in terms of food prices in the near future,” he said.

Another agriculture analyst and co-founder of Corporate Farmers International, Mr Akin Alabi, urged the government to prepare adequately for the next farming season.

“For food prices to drop within the second half of the year is not really plausible because the farming season has already started this year.

“However, it is important that government begin to set a roadmap before 2025 farming season commences.

“Dry season farming must be prioritised because it requires a lot of infrastructure. If we plan well, it will help us cover for the food shortage we had earlier in the year.

“We must engage in massive investment for dry season farming. There is a need to finance farming adequately and for proper subsidisation of farm inputs for farmers.

“We also need to boost food storage systems to prevent post-harvest losses, ultimately we need capital funding for agriculture,” Alabi said. (NAN