Bumper harvest crashes potato price in Nigeria

The article reports on the Irish potato harvest in Plateau state, Nigeria's leading producer, which has led to a drop in prices due to increased supply. However, recent violence and farmer-herder conflicts have caused disruptions, leading to a significant price increase earlier this year. Currently, prices have dropped significantly due to a bumper harvest, but dealers anticipate a potential shortage and price increase in the next two months. Farmers also face challenges such as high fertilizer costs and the impact of fuel price fluctuations on production costs. IDP farmer Verity Michael Charok appeals for government support, highlighting the effects of the violent crises on farmers and production.

The harvest of Irish potato has begun in some of the producing states and its price has dropped as more of the product hits the market. One of the producing states is Plateau, which also leads in the production in Nigeria, with many farmers engaged in its cultivation alongside other crops. People from all parts of the country get much of their supplies from the state. For many years, sellers/dealers of Irish potato have made considerable earnings in the Irish potato value chain. Several LGAs in Plateau are avid farmers of the crop because of the fertility of the land and climate to support the super germination of the crop. Among the LGAs in the state producing good potato are Bokkos, Mangu, Jos South, Jos North, Bassa and Jos East. Over the years there was massive production of Irish potato from these areas for the country at large and even beyond. However, in the last few months, the price of potato skyrocketed, thereby making many people to refrain from buying it. Factors ...