Agricultural stakeholders have raised serious concerns over Nigeria’s food import policy, warning that the continued dependence on imported food items could undermine the efforts and livelihoods of local farmers across the country.

The warning comes on the heels of recent data which revealed that the country spent a whopping $1.19 billion on food imports in the first half of 2026 alone, a development that many experts have described as worrisome for the nation’s agricultural sector.

According to the stakeholders, while food importation may provide temporary relief in addressing food shortages, its long-term effect could be detrimental to local production, food security and the overall growth of the agricultural value chain.

Speaking on the development, the Chief Executive Officer of the Center for the Promotion of Private Enterprise, Dr. Muda Yusuf, said the government’s food import liberalization policy had helped to address supply gaps caused by insecurity and disruptions to local production.

Yusuf explained that in the wake of persistent insecurity in major food-producing areas, particularly in the North-East, North-West and North-Central regions, many farmers were forced to abandon their farmlands, leading to a sharp drop in local food supply.

He noted that the importation of food items such as rice, wheat, fish and other staples helped to stabilize prices and prevent a total food crisis, especially for urban households that were already grappling with high inflation.

However, the renowned economist warned that continued reliance on imported food could have serious consequences for the nation’s agricultural sector if not properly managed and time-bound.

According to him, when imported food floods the Nigerian market at cheaper prices, it tends to reduce the prices received by local farmers for their produce, thereby making farming less profitable and attractive.

He stressed that if farmers are unable to get good returns on their investments due to price crashes caused by cheap imports, many of them may be discouraged from continuing farming or investing in expanded production.

Yusuf further pointed out that such a situation could also discourage private sector investments in agriculture, agro-processing and storage, as investors may see local production as uncompetitive compared to imported alternatives.

He said Nigeria cannot achieve sustainable food security by depending on other countries for its food needs, adding that there is need for deliberate policies that will empower local farmers to produce more and compete favorably.

The CPPE boss therefore called on the Federal Government to make food import liberalization a short-term emergency measure, while working on long-term solutions to boost domestic production.

He urged the government to urgently address the issue of insecurity in farming communities, which he described as the major factor responsible for low agricultural output in recent years.

According to him, if farmers can return to their farms without fear of attacks by bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements, local food production will increase significantly and the need for massive food importation will reduce.

Yusuf also called for improved storage and preservation facilities to help local farmers reduce post-harvest losses and to enable them store their produce for longer periods without wastage.

He explained that lack of adequate storage facilities has been a major challenge for Nigerian farmers, as a large percentage of their harvest is lost after harvest due to poor handling and preservation.

He noted that with better storage infrastructure, such as silos, cold rooms and warehouses, farmers would be able to preserve their produce, sell at better prices and compete effectively with imported food items that have longer shelf life.

The economist also emphasized the need for improved access to affordable farm inputs, including quality seeds, fertilizers, extension services and mechanized equipment to help farmers increase their yields and reduce cost of production.

He said the government should also invest in rural infrastructure, particularly good roads and electricity, to help farmers transport their produce from rural areas to urban markets at reduced cost and in good condition.

Yusuf added that access to affordable credit facilities for farmers should be improved, noting that many smallholder farmers cannot access loans due to high interest rates and stringent collateral requirements.

Other agricultural stakeholders who spoke on the issue also expressed similar concerns, warning that Nigeria’s over-reliance on food imports could weaken the nation’s foreign exchange reserves and make the country vulnerable to global price shocks.

They argued that the $1.19 billion spent on food imports in just six months could have been invested in supporting local farmers, building agro-industrial parks and developing the agricultural value chain to create jobs for millions of Nigerians.

According to them, the current situation calls for a balanced approach that ensures food availability for Nigerians in the short term while protecting the interests of local farmers and promoting self-sufficiency in the long run.

They therefore called on the Federal Government to come up with a clear roadmap that will gradually phase out food importation and replace it with increased domestic production through targeted support for farmers.

They also urged the government to involve farmers’ associations, agricultural experts and private sector players in policy formulation and implementation to ensure that policies reflect the realities on the ground.

As at the time of filing this report, many farming communities across the country are still grappling with insecurity, poor infrastructure and lack of storage facilities, challenges that stakeholders say must be addressed if local farmers are to compete with imported food and ensure food security for the nation.