ILORIN — Concern over the rising cost of food continued to grow in Ilorin as residents and agricultural stakeholders called for stronger measures to improve food supply and support local production. The development came amid increasing pressure on households, with the prices of several essential commodities rising and making it more difficult for families to meet their daily food needs. Reports from markets in Ilorin indicated that consumers were already feeling the impact of higher food prices, with some residents calling for greater government intervention to address the situation. The rising cost of food had become a major concern for households, particularly those with limited incomes, as increases in the prices of staples placed additional pressure on family budgets. Agricultural stakeholders maintained that improving domestic food production remained one of the most practical ways of addressing supply challenges and reducing dependence on external sources. They called for greater support for farmers through access to inputs, financing and other resources required to increase production. Stakeholders also stressed the importance of strengthening the agricultural value chain so that farmers could produce and move their goods to markets more efficiently. They argued that increased production alone would not be sufficient if farmers continued to face difficulties with transportation, storage and access to markets. Residents similarly urged authorities to pay greater attention to the factors contributing to the rising cost of food. They said measures to support farmers and improve the movement of agricultural produce could help increase supplies and reduce some of the pressure being experienced by consumers. The concerns were particularly significant in Ilorin, where markets served a large population from the city and surrounding communities. Traders and consumers remained sensitive to changes in the supply and prices of food items, with shortages or disruptions capable of quickly affecting household expenses. Agricultural development programmes had also continued to receive attention in Kwara State, with stakeholders recognising the importance of supporting farmers to increase output. Calls for improved agricultural support included the provision of farm inputs and financing arrangements designed to help farmers expand production. Stakeholders said such interventions needed to be sustained and properly implemented to produce meaningful results. They also emphasised the need for cooperation between government agencies, farmers, financial institutions, traders and other participants in the food supply chain. According to them, coordinated action would make it easier to identify bottlenecks and develop practical responses to food supply challenges. As concerns over food prices persisted, residents called for measures that would protect household purchasing power while encouraging greater domestic production. They maintained that stronger investment in agriculture, better support for farmers and improvements across the food supply chain would contribute to more stable food availability. The discussions underscored the importance of addressing food supply challenges before they placed even greater pressure on consumers. Stakeholders in Ilorin therefore continued to look towards government and other relevant institutions for practical measures capable of strengthening local production and improving access to affordable food.