A Director in the Bauchi State Agricultural Development Programme (BSADP), Mr. Lawan Masa, has cautioned farmers against disposing of their harvests immediately when market prices are still at their lowest.
Speaking in Bauchi on Friday, he stressed that quick sales to wealthy buyers usually deprive farmers of the true value of their efforts.
He warned that rushing to sell produce at cheap rates reduces long-term financial stability for farming households.
Masa urged farmers to avoid selling directly at the farm gate to middlemen, popularly known as “money bags,” who exploit their urgent need for cash.
He explained that such transactions often place farmers at a disadvantage, leaving them unable to save or reinvest for the next planting season.
According to him, many merchants buy at very low prices during post-harvest desperation, store the produce, and later resell it for huge profits within a short time.
“Farmers should understand that letting go of crops at giveaway prices is a loss-making practice. These middlemen are enriched while the real producers remain stagnant,” he said.
He encouraged farmers to embrace storage methods that would allow them to wait for better market conditions and maximize their earnings.
Masa added that with patience and proper storage, farmers would be able to reinvest in improved seeds, fertilisers, and other essential inputs.
He further called on farmer groups and cooperatives to establish shared storage facilities, which would enhance collective bargaining power and improve access to fair pricing.
The BSADP director highlighted the importance of discipline and planning in farm business.
He maintained that treating agriculture as an enterprise, rather than a subsistence venture, is the key to prosperity.
Masa reaffirmed that the state government remains committed to providing farmers with training, inputs, and resources that will enhance productivity and ensure lasting growth in Bauchi’s agricultural sector.