Late Rainfall, Fasting, Push Up Prices Of Potatoes, Tomatoes In Plateau

The late arrival of the rains and the ongoing fasting period pushed up the prices of Irish potatoes and tomatoes by about 200 per cent in Plateau, a market survey revealed.

The survey, conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) at the weekend in Bokkos, found that a bag of Irish potatoes that sold for between N5,000 and N6,000 not long ago, was now being sold at between N16,000 and N17,000.

Similarly, a basket of tomatoes that used to sale for between 1,500 and N2,000 was now sold at between N4,500 and N5, 000 in Bokkos markets.

Mr Samuel Mallo, the Chairman of Traders and Marketers Association, Mai-katako market chapter, in Bokkos Local Government, blamed the hike on the late arrival of the rains this year.

He said “the late arrival of rainfall this year has greatly contributed to the hike in prices of Irish potatoes and tomatoes in both Bokkos and Mangu local government areas.

“All the potatoes you see being sold in Mai-katako market today are irrigated ones and not the seasonal ones, which resulted in massive shortage and hike in its price,’’ he explained.

According to Mallo, under normal circumstances, the seasonal varieties should be in the markets and at a cheaper rate at this time of the year.

Also, Malam Nuhu Usman, a potatoes dealer from Kano State, lamented the hike in the price of the commodity, which he said had affected his purchasing power.

He said “I used to buy between 150 and 200 bags at times like this, but I am not sure I can afford 35 bags of Irish potatoes today.’’

Usman expressed fear that the high prices could affect his sales in Kano, but prayed that buyers would understand and buy it.

Another dealer from Katsina, Mr Akilu Sani, also said he could only buy 15 bags of potatoes out of the 30 bags he used to buy at the Maikatako and Bokkos markets.

Sani, however, said it was not the fault of the farmers as the late arrival of the rains had ensured the total absence of the seasonal farming produce.

NAN reports that Bokkos and Mangu local government areas were prominent for Irish potatoes farming, with the commodity produced in large quantities and attract buyers from all parts of the country.

The markets also attract foreign buyers from Chad, Niger and Benin Republic.