Mirian Gom 
LAGOS, Nigeria — Vegetable prices in Lagos are expected to rise in the coming weeks after flooding destroyed farmlands across Ojo and other parts of the state, farmers have warned.
The Chairperson of the Farmers Community in Ojo Local Government Area, Mayriam Ali, said on Sunday that heavy rainfall had submerged farms, destroyed crops and disrupted harvesting and replanting activities, forcing farmers to absorb significant losses.
“We have recorded huge losses. Floodwaters destroyed many of our crops, and farmers are struggling to recover,” Ali said in an interview.
“If we sold vegetables at lower prices before, they will now become more expensive because farmers must recover their losses,” she added.
According to Ali, vegetables expected to record sharp price increases include ugu, spinach, spring onions, oregano and waterleaf, with a bunch of waterleaf currently selling for about ₦500 likely to rise to between ₦1,000 and ₦1,300.
She explained that vegetables with longer growing periods suffered the greatest damage because many were washed away before reaching harvest.
However, she said crops with shorter maturity periods, including shoko, tete and ewedu, could remain relatively affordable because farmers can quickly replant them.
Ali identified flooding as the biggest challenge facing farmers in Ojo, noting that the area’s swampy terrain leaves farmlands highly vulnerable during the rainy season.
She also said many farmers lack drainage infrastructure and pumping equipment needed to remove excess water from their farms.
Ali called on the government to provide affordable solar-powered pumping machines, improve transportation infrastructure and conduct assessments of farming communities to better understand their needs.
According to her, addressing flooding, transportation and mechanisation challenges would improve food production and strengthen food security across Lagos State.
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Korede Abdullah 
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Hussaini Ibrahim