FG should support rice producers in Nigeria instead of allowing imports – RIFAN
According to the Lagos state branch of the Rice growers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), the federal government ought to support domestic rice growers instead of permitting imports.
In an interview with NAN, Mr. Rapheal Hunsa, the Chairman of RIFAN Lagos State, made this statement in response to the
federal government’s latest policy, which permits duty-free imports for the next 150 days in an attempt to drive down produce prices.
He pointed out that farmers stand to lose greatly from the strategy and that the federal government ought to
“Local rice production will be greatly affected by the import duties exception the government has granted for rice imports,” he said.
“Businessmen will be able to import rice at no cost to them thanks to this license and opportunity.” The local rice farmers are not at all encouraged by this development, nor is it advantageous to us.
This indicates that the government is supporting rice imports more than domestic rice production.
“In order for the nation to advance, we are requesting that the government empower the regional rice growers.
The nations from which we purchase rice would not be able to produce enough to export if their governments did not give their farmers more authority to expand rice output.
Therefore, let our government assist rice farmers as well, and let this assistance reach the appropriate individuals to ensure that it is not a fraud.
We think that several individuals misinformed and advised this government on this issue.
“This policy disadvantages rice farmers, which is why we are not thrilled about it. We were not taken into account when creating this policy.
History
Prior to this, Nairametrics had reported that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security on behalf of the federal government had
declared plans to import certain food items, including rice, maize, and wheat, duty-free. The goal of this program is to boost food production and restock the government’s strategic grain stockpile.
In the second half of the year, the government hopes to lower food prices, the Minister of Agriculture confirmed.
The food crisis that Nigeria is currently experiencing is one of the worst in a generation; by May 2024, food inflation is expected to reach 40%.
According to NBS data, over the past year, the cost of staple goods such rice, beans, wheat, maize, and bread has more than doubled.
Due to the continuous food crisis, projections from major development organizations such as the World Bank, FAO, and
World Food Program (WFP) suggest that approximately 16% of Nigerians may face acute hunger in 2024.
