Lagos residents are increasingly alarmed by the relentless rise in the price of beans, a crucial protein source for many households. They have called on the government to step in as the consistent price hikes since 2024 have become unbearable. In interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday, residents expressed their distress over the situation.
Reports from NAN indicate that a 40kg bag of beans, which was sold for N26,000 in January, now costs N115,000. Similarly, a 100kg bag that previously cost N55,000 at the start of the year now sells for N230,000, making this staple food increasingly unaffordable for many.
Mrs. Uloma Chigozirim, a housewife and mother of four from Santos Estate, Akowonjo, expressed her concern that the steep price increase could lead to malnutrition among children. "Beans used to be the cheapest food; now, we don't even understand what's going on. The price keeps rising every other week, and even traders can't explain why," she lamented. "Beans used to be an affordable protein source for the average resident, but now it's too expensive. We need government intervention, or many of us will suffer from malnutrition."
Mr. Uche Ikenga, a beans farmer in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, suggested that the price surge could be due to the seasonal nature of bean cultivation. "The peak period for beans harvest is usually at the end of the year. Last year, many farmers lost their crops to cattle foraging, leading to a low harvest and scarcity this year," he explained.
Mr. Ahmed Yusuf, a beans trader at the Dry Foodstuff Section of Ile-Epo Market in Agege, warned that beans might become unavailable in the coming months. "We sold a small bucket of beans for N6,500 two weeks ago, and now it's N8,000. The price keeps soaring, and we sell as we buy. We can't keep stock because of the price unpredictability," he said. "Demand is high, but farmers don't have enough supply because many couldn't cultivate this year. The price hike is beyond our control."
Mrs. Bunmi Arowolo, a jewelry seller, urged the federal and Lagos State governments to intervene. "In early May, I bought a small bucket of beans for N7,500, up from N3,000. Beans are a common protein source, and now I have to manage the little quantity I can afford for my family," she said. "I appeal to the government to tackle insecurity so that farmers can return to their fields and increase the supply."
Ms. Adaeze Oparaku, a nutritionist at Lagos Teaching Hospital (LUTH), emphasized the nutritional importance of beans. "Beans are an essential source of protein, carbohydrates, and dietary fiber for both adults and children. They also contain vital micronutrients like Vitamin Bs and minerals such as phosphorus, copper, manganese, and iron," she noted. "Given the rising prices, beans can be substituted with other protein sources in children's meals, but they should remain a staple if affordable."
Mrs. Eugenia Uloma, a trader at Kotangora Market in Abule-Egba, highlighted the importance of beans in the Nigerian diet. "Beans are expensive, but we still buy what we can afford because they're our major protein source. Other protein sources are even more expensive. We need the government to address food inflation so we can feed our families, especially our children," she said.
Mrs. Barinedum Legbara, a vegetable farmer, called for better planning to boost local bean production. "Beans are a basic necessity in our diet. The government should strategize to increase bean cultivation and avoid scarcity and high prices. Nigeria is fertile; we just need strategic crop cultivation to ensure good yields and affordable prices," she said
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