SEASONAL PRICE VOLATILITY FOR MAIZE IN KADUNA AND KATSINA STATE, NIGERIA

This study assessed the seasonal price volatility of maize prices in Katsina and Kaduna state in 2023 and 2024. Market prices for maize were collected in 12 rural markets from the selected markets in Kaduna and Katsina state. Descriptive statistics; percentages, mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were used to analyse the data. The result shows different seasonal patterns where the postharvest prices decreased followed by increase during the months of May to August. There was near double prices increase in 2024 compared to 2023, with Kaduna state markets showing a 104.2% increase while, Katsina state markets showed a 103.7 to 106.2% increase. Despite inflationary pressures, volatility in prices decreased showing a coefficient of variation in the two years compared with minimum of 30% and 40% maximum in 2023, and from 20% minimum to 25% maximum in 2024 for Kaduna and from 23% minimum to 26% maximum in 2023 and from 17% minimum and 22% maximum in 2024 for Katsina state. Saminaka market in Kaduna state and Tsiga market in Katsina state showed better price stability, while Tudun saibu market in Kaduna state and Bakori market in Katsina state showed higher volatility. The study recommended the need for improve storage facilities, establish, sensitize and encourage farmers to use electronic warehouse receipt system, enhanced market information system, targeted policy intended policy interventions to stabilize prices, and reduce postharvest losses to enhance food security in line the sustainable development goal of ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture (SDG 2).