In recent months, the price of beans has soared dramatically. A 40kg bag, which sold for N26,000 in January, now costs N115,000. Similarly, a 100kg bag has risen from N55,000 to N230,000, making this essential food item difficult for residents to afford.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Beans are a crucial part of the diet for many Lagosians, providing an affordable protein source. However, the rapid price increase has forced families to reduce their consumption or seek alternative protein sources. Residents are urging the government to address the situation, as the price hike is significantly impacting their livelihoods.

Mrs. Uloma Chigozirim, a housewife and mother of four, expressed her concerns: “Beans used to be the cheapest food, but now we don’t even understand what’s going on. Every other week, the price keeps going up, and even traders can’t explain the reason for the hike. We really need government intervention, or else many of us will be malnourished.”

Beans farmers attribute the price increase to the seasonal nature of the crop and the impact of cattle grazing on bean farms. Mr. Uche Ikenga, a beans farmer in Abuja, explained that beans are not an all-season crop, and the peak harvest period is usually at the end of the year. However, last year’s harvest was affected by cattle grazing, resulting in a low yield and scarcity this year.

The scarcity has led to a significant price increase, making it difficult for traders to stock beans. Mr. Ahmed Yusuf, a beans trader at the Dry Foodstuff Section of Ile-Epo Market, Agege, noted: “We sold a small bucket of beans for N6,500 last two weeks, but now the same quantity sells for N8,000. The price keeps soaring every day, and we sell as we buy. We no longer keep it because of the price unpredictability.”

Mrs. Bunmi Arowolo, a jewelry seller, appealed to the federal and Lagos State governments to tackle insecurity and empower farmers. “Early in May, I bought a small bucket of beans for N7,500 as against N3,000 previously. As a common form of protein, I now manage a small quantity for my family. I want to appeal to the governments to tackle insecurity so that farmers can go to their farms again and make the produce available and affordable.”

Ms. Adaeze Oparaku, a nutritionist at the Lagos Teaching Hospital, emphasized the nutritional importance of beans, highlighting their role as an essential source of protein, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and micronutrients. She advised that beans should be a regular part of children’s diets but can be substituted with other protein sources if the price continues to rise.

Traders and residents are calling on the government to address food inflation and ensure affordable protein sources. Mrs. Eugenia Uloma, a trader at Kotangora Market in Abule-Egba, stressed the importance of beans in the Nigerian diet: “Beans have been a major part of our diet and are important to every Nigerian. The produce is so expensive, but we still buy the quantity we can afford because it is our major source of protein. Other protein sources are even more expensive. We don’t need much from the government; if it can address this growing food inflation, we will be grateful.”

Additionally, residents are advocating for increased local production of beans through strategic cultivation to prevent scarcity and high prices. Mrs. Barinedum Legbara, a vegetable farmer, emphasized the need for proper planning to ensure adequate bean supply.