The prices of essential food items in Yobe State have dropped significantly compared to the past few months.

A survey in the popular Kukareta market near Damaturu, the state capital, showed an average of 50 per cent drop in the price of some grains.

The Sarkin Kasuwa of Damaturu, Tijjani Muhammad, attributed the fall to ongoing harvest.

Mr Muhammad also said that increased agricultural productivity, which might not be unconnected to steady rainfall and support from the state government to farmers also contributed to good harvest that affected the price of grains such as millet and sorghum.

He commended the state governor, Mai Mala Buni’s administration for providing farmers with essential inputs such as tractors, harvesters, and improved seedlings for the season.

“The price of 100 kg of millet has dropped from N100,000 per bag to between N45,000 and N47,000. Sorghum has also seen a significant reduction from between N90,000 and N95,000 to between N40,000 to N45,000. Beans, which used to be as high as N200,000 to N240,000 are now selling for between N140,000 to N160,000 depending on grade and variety,” Mr Muhammad said.

He urged for engagement in more farming activities and the need for farmers to adopt modern farming techniques to maximize their yields.

Meanwhile, the head of livestock sellers in the market, Galtima Goni, said that prices of livestock had risen due to increased demand, particularly as the festive season approaches.

Mr Goni noted that many farmers had sold their livestock during the rainy season to fund farming activities and were now buying replacements.

An agent in the Kukareta cattle market, Bujar Ba ‘ana, said that large cows sell for between N850,000 and N1.2m, while average-sized cows range betweenN650,000 to N750,000.

He added that smaller cows sell for between N500,000 and N600,000.

(NAN)