Peter Obi Warns: Falling Food Prices Could Impoverish Local Farmers

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has cautioned that declining food prices may not be the relief many Nigerians assume, warning that it could further impoverish local farmers if driven by increased imports.

Speaking at a recent event, Obi revealed that someone informed him food prices had dropped. However, he argued that the trend could signal deeper structural issues within the agricultural sector.

“Somebody called me today when I walked in here and told me that the food prices have gone down,” he said.

He blamed the situation on what he described as excessive importation of cheap food items, which he believes is undermining local production.

“We’ve killed our farmers by importing cheap goods from outside Nigeria and throwing our farmers into poverty by worsening the hungry situation in the country,” Obi stated.

According to him, while consumers may celebrate lower market prices, the long-term impact on farmers could be devastating, as reduced earnings discourage production and deepen rural poverty.

“Crashing food prices will make our farmers poor. We must ensure high food prices to save the farmers,” he added.