Nigeria’s rice farmers are sounding the alarm because the nation’s once-booming rice business faces a devastating collapse, with native mills shutting down and 1000’s of staff shedding their jobs.
Peter Dama, Chairman of the Aggressive African Rice Discussion board Nigeria, stated in an announcement on Sunday, Could 25, that insecurity, low cost rice imports, and a scarcity of presidency help have pushed the business to the brink.
“Our mills have been shut down. We have now retrenched staff. Is that this the long run for us on this nation?” he requested, voicing the frustration of many farmers throughout the nation.
Dama recalled a time when Nigeria’s rice manufacturing reached about eight million metric tons—sufficient to satisfy nationwide demand and scale back dependence on imports.
“It was after the rise in banditry and kidnapping that farming turned difficult, and manufacturing suffered,” he defined, blaming insecurity for disrupting agricultural actions.
He additionally pushed again in opposition to claims that Nigeria’s well-known rice pyramids, as soon as displayed in Abuja and different states, had been staged or symbolic.
“The pyramids had been exhibited in Abuja and different states as a part of zonal shows. Regardless of some media claims that these had been faux constructions and that paddy rice was unavailable, the reality is that paddy was produced, distributed, milled, and funds made,” Dama stated.
Addressing critics who accused some rice farmers of misusing authorities assist, he stood by members of his discussion board.
“Whereas there are so-called ‘political rice farmers’, our members who obtained help genuinely utilised it for rice manufacturing,” he said.
In response to Dama, Nigeria’s rice manufacturing used to face at round 5.3 million metric tons, in comparison with a nationwide consumption charge of 8.5 million metric tons. However that hole has grown wider as manufacturing has fallen sharply lately.
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One main purpose, he stated, is the flood of low cost imported rice that continues to undercut native producers.
“Imported rice is cheaper as a result of importers evade taxes and obtain subsidies. They create rice into Nigeria at costs as little as $10 to $20 per ton,” he revealed.
With the 2027 basic elections approaching, Dama warned that the worsening disaster might have severe social and political penalties.
“The lack of jobs, earnings, and alternatives for rural youth could set off unrest in agricultural areas, enhance rural-urban migration, pressure cities, and foster disillusionment with public coverage, threatening nationwide unity,” the assertion warned.
He urged the Federal Authorities to behave swiftly, beginning with placing an finish to selective import waivers and reaffirming rice as a protected strategic crop.
“Finish selective import waivers on rice and associated meals commodities. All commerce incentives ought to be clear, time-bound, and equitable,” Dama demanded.
He additionally referred to as for stronger border controls, government-backed buffer shares to stabilise costs, and elevated help for irrigation, inexpensive farming inputs, mechanisation, and low-interest agricultural loans.
“Help paddy manufacturing by irrigation to allow double cropping cycles, provide inexpensive inputs, mechanise farming, and supply accessible low-interest agricultural financing,” he stated.
Dama’s message was clear, with out pressing intervention, Nigeria dangers shedding considered one of its most promising agricultural sectors, together with the roles, meals safety, and rural stability it gives.
