By Favour Ulebor, Abuja

The Nigeria Union of Agriculture and Allied Employees (NUAAE) has called for the re-establishment of commodity boards to stabilize food prices and provide a safety net for farmers.

Speaking in a press briefing on Thursday in Abuja, NUAAE National President, Tajudeen Baba, urged the federal government to prioritize the agricultural sector by increasing budgetary allocation in line with the Abuja Declaration, which recommends dedicating at least 10% of national budgets to agriculture.

Baba highlighted key factors driving food price inflation, including outdated farming inputs, high costs of fertilizers and chemicals, and the impact of exchange rate volatility.

He also blamed middlemen for exploiting these challenges, which has left many Nigerians unable to afford basic food items.

“Farmers face rising production costs due to expensive inputs, while middlemen worsen the situation, making food prices unaffordable,” he said.

Baba also called for government intervention to address insecurity in rural farming communities, where farmers are often forced to pay levies to armed groups or abandon their fields due to threats.

“Insecurity discourages farming and threatens food security. The government must deploy adequate security personnel to rural areas to protect farmers and boost agricultural activities,” Baba said.

He added that Nigerian farmers still rely on outdated farming methods, which limit their yields. “Access to quality seeds, modern tools, and training will significantly improve their productivity and livelihoods,” he noted.

Baba dismissed claims of factional leadership within NUAAE, describing them as baseless distractions.

“There are no parallel leadership structures within NUAAE. Some individuals are falsely claiming to represent the union. We remain focused on tackling issues affecting our members and the nation.”

He urged stakeholders to collaborate in creating an enabling environment for farmers and reiterated the need for collective action to ensure food security.

“The government must prioritize investments in agriculture to create sustainable solutions for farmers and the country at large,” Baba concluded.