Outcry as grain prices soar in Kano

Kano residents have called on the federal government to allow grain importation as prices of grains soar in the state.

According to Kano Focus, local rice sells between N1,100 to N1,500 per measure while the price of a sack has risen from N16,000 to N23,500.

A market survey on Wednesday showed that a measure of millet costs N560, maize sells at N550, while guinea corn costs N570 per measure.

Also, 40-measure sack of millet ranges from N19,000 to N21,000, that of maize is N20,000 to N22,000, while a sack of guinea corn costs between N20,000 and N22,000 depending on the market.

Government should open borders

Some home owners told Kano Focus that rice is relatively cheaper than other grains as it doesn’t require much to be taken as a meal.

A resident of Kano City, Bala Warure said people can cook rice and take it with salt and oil whereas one needs to make a stew to accompany meals from other grains.

Mr Warure expressed shock that grain prices could rise so high despite an increase in farming activities.

Another resident, Sani Rabi’u of Sharada area of the metropolis urged the federal government to open land borders to permit the flow of cheaper grains into the country.

Why prices rise

The chairman rice sellers in Karfi Kura local government Muhammad Ibrahim said the price of locally milled rice soared due to the Covid-19 lockdown.

“People started hoarding rice for fear of the Covid-19 restrictions,” he said.

However, the secretary Dawanau Grain Marketers Association said Covid-19 restrictions and insecurity are the main causes of the soaring prices.

“The federal government exempted grain transporters from Covid-19 travel restrictions but state governments had to close grain markets to avoid community transmission.

“Also some of the farming communities we depend on along the Katsina/Zamfara axis are suffering from bandit attacks.

“These two reasons made the commodity to be scarce and therefore the prices have to rise.” Mr Ibrahim said.