Hardship: Abuja Yam Sellers Lament Low Patronage

Yam Sellers in Abuja have lamented over low patronage from Nigerians who can no longer afford their goods because of the outrageous inflation in the country.

GWG.ng learnt that at Bakin Dogo food market in Kaduna State, 100 tubers of old yam recently sold for N1 million at wholesale.

Now, Abuja yam sellers are complaining that they are unable to make sales because customers cannot afford their goods.

In an interview with newsmen, Blessing Timothy, one of the yam sellers in the Masaka market, called on the federal and state governments to regulate the constant price increase of foodstuff to minimize 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 in Masaka market.

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

She lamented that 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 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.”

GWG.ng reports that these are few among many groppling with the effect of the increasing inflation in the country.

GWG.ng earlier reported how garri, a staple food accessible to all and described as “poor man’s food” is no longer within the reach of the common man because of the continuous rise in the price of the product and other commodities in the market.

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