Ogun gov blames middlemen for rising food prices, plans farmers’ markets

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has announced plans to establish large-scale Farmers’ Markets across the state to directly link farmers with consumers and eliminate the influence of middlemen.

During an on-the-spot assessment of the ongoing Farmers’ Market project in Asero, Abeokuta, on Tuesday, Abiodun condemned the role of middlemen in the agricultural value chain.

This is as he attributed the rising food prices to their activities rather than the removal of fuel subsidies.

“The plan is to build these markets in multiple locations across the state, connecting farmers directly to consumers.

“What we are doing here in Asero is just one of several. This will be among the smallest, as we aim to construct a much larger one,” Abiodun stated.

Abiodun also revealed that his administration intends to replicate France’s largest Farmers’ Market within the state, with the major hub likely to be situated along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway.

“I was in France a few weeks ago, and I saw one of the world’s largest Farmers’ Markets. Our intention is to replicate that in Ogun State,” he added.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to supporting farmers, Abiodun emphasized that Ogun is the first state in Nigeria to implement a “Farmers’ Management Information System,” which provides comprehensive data on farmers, including their demographics, crops, production volumes, and contact details.

“We have all the details of our farmers in Ogun State.

“This system allows us to track their needs and offer support in land preparation, pesticide provision, and fertilizer distribution,” he said.

Meanwhile, farmers at the Asero market, including Mrs Soleye Sherifat, Mr Oladunni Solomon, and Mrs Akinbobola Oluwatobi, expressed gratitude for the governor’s intervention, noting that the initiative would significantly boost their economic prospects.