Some Lagos residents have lamented the rising cost of locally grown fresh corn, urging the government to support year-round cultivation to improve availability and affordability.

The residents made the appeal in separate interviews with journalists on Sunday in Lagos.

They said fresh corn, a seasonal staple enjoyed by many households, had become increasingly expensive, limiting access for average consumers.

A resident of Egbeda, Mary Babalola, said the price of fresh corn had risen sharply compared to last year.

She recalled buying four cobs for N500 last year, whereas the same amount now buys only one cob at Iyana Ipaja Market.

According to her, traders attribute the increase to rising transportation costs and other production challenges.

Ms Babalola urged the government to support farmers with irrigation facilities and mechanisation to enable year-round cultivation.

She said such interventions would reduce dependence on rainfall and increase production throughout the year.

“We see corn cultivated all year in other countries. Farmers cannot achieve this alone without government support through irrigation and mechanisation,” she said.

Another resident, Eki Uyiosa of Lekki, said she often bought imported sweet corn from supermarkets during the off-season because locally grown fresh corn was unavailable.

Ms Uyiosa said the current price of at least N500 per cob had made fresh corn unaffordable for many families.

She noted that corn, often consumed as a snack or combined with beans and other meals, should be available throughout the year.

In Kosofe, Cornelia David said fresh corn was scarce in her area despite the harvest season.

She said she sometimes bought imported sweet corn from supermarkets at about N1,500 per cob.

Ms David said expanding local production would reduce dependence on imported alternatives and make fresh corn more accessible.

Also speaking, a corn trader at Iyana Ipaja Market, Justina Odion, blamed the high retail price on increased wholesale costs.

According to her, a bag of fresh corn now sells for between N45,000 and N55,000, compared with N20,000 and N25,000 during the same period last year.

She said traders had no choice but to adjust prices to remain in business, adding that fresh corn remained a seasonal commodity. 

(NAN)