The Federal Government has been urged by the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN), Lagos State chapter, to support local rice farmers rather than allow importation.
Raphael Hunsa, Chairman of RIFAN Lagos State, expressed this during an interview with NAN in response to the recent federal government policy allowing duty-free imports for the next 150 days to reduce rice prices.
Hunsa stated that the policy is detrimental to local farmers and that the federal government should support them as governments of rice-exporting countries support their local farmers.
He said, “The import duties exemption the government has granted for rice imports will greatly affect local rice production. This policy will enable businessmen to import rice free of charge, which is not encouraging or beneficial to local rice farmers. It shows the government is favoring more rice imports to the detriment of our local produce.”
He added, “We are asking the government to empower local rice farmers to help the country progress. If the countries we import from did not support their farmers, they wouldn’t produce enough to export. Our government should also support local farmers, ensuring that the aid reaches the right people to avoid scams.”
“Rice farmers are unhappy with this policy; it puts us at a disadvantage. We were not considered in its formulation,” Hunsa concluded.
