‘Nigerians not patronising us again,’ Abuja yam sellers lament as prices surge by over 400% in one year.

A yam seller in the Masaka market in Abuja, Blessing Timothy, called on the federal and state governments to regulate the constant price increase of foodstuff to minimise the sufferings of Nigerians.

She also appealed to the government at all levels to provide farmers with modern farm inputs while ensuring the timely distribution of fertilisers to boost food production nationwide.

Ms Timothy said five tubers of yam now sell for between N15,000 and N30,000, depending on the sizes.

Hannah Duke, another yam seller in Mararaba, said the increase in the price of yam had affected her business, adding that she was gradually losing her capital.

According to her, most farmers don’t go to farms anymore because of insecurity. Those who managed to plant will pay the gunmen to be able to harvest—the cost of transportation and pesticides.

“All these go to the cost of production, and in the end, the farmers need to increase prices to make ends meet,’’ she said.

Ms Duke said the yam business was no longer profitable, making it difficult for people to buy yam.

“Sometimes we are forced to cut yams into pieces to sell; we sell small slices of yam between N1,000 and N2,000, depending on the size. We are appealing to the government to come to our aid,’’ she said.

Josephine Ejeh, another seller in Mararaba, expressed her frustration and said yam was now beyond the reach of the ordinary man.

“We don’t know where to start from. Last year, we sold a bundle of yams (five pieces) for N3,000, and now we are selling between N15,000 and N30,000, depending on the size.

“People are not patronising us again. I’ve been here since morning, and I have not sold anything. Everyone is complaining, and it is not our fault either.