Farmers in Gombe State have expressed concern over plans by agricultural off-takers and middlemen to purchase grains from various communities in the state, citing exploitative practices.
“They deposit money before harvest, and when the crops mature, they pay the balance and complete the payment.
“Some off-takers even buy farmlands from farmers, nurture them, and harvest the crops themselves,” said Mr. Abubakar Ibrahim, an extension officer in the state.
Mr. Suleiman Kwadom, a maize farmer from Kwadom community, reported being contacted by off-takers but refused to sell due to limited harvest.
He advised farmers to be cautious, warning that they might sell their produce only to buy it back at exorbitant prices later.
Hassan Dukku from Tilel Community predicted that the activities of these grain merchants would drive up grain prices in spite of the harvest season.
The farmers called on the Federal and Gombe State governments to take proactive measures to address the threats and regulate the activities of off-takers and middlemen.
Ibrahim attributed the desperation of middlemen to the poor rainfall in parts of Taraba, Adamawa, and Gombe States, which had raised concerns about poor harvests. He identified rice, maize, millet, and sorghum as the most sought-after crops
