Even as the importation of rice into the country through the seaports has been banned, there are indications that the commodity produced locally by the indigenous farmers cannot meet demand.
With the federal government recent policy of imposing an unfriendly duty paid value on imported rice, which eventually discourages businessmen from bringing in the product from Asia and South America, there are palpable fears that the locally made rice coupled with the smuggled ones cannot meet the demands of Nigerians because of the high rate of consumption of rice in the country.
Even as the importation of rice into the country through the seaports has been banned, there are indications that the commodity produced locally by the indigenous farmers cannot meet demand.
With the federal government recent policy of imposing an unfriendly duty paid value on imported rice, which eventually discourages businessmen from bringing in the product from Asia and South America, there are palpable fears that the locally made rice coupled with the smuggled ones cannot meet the demands of Nigerians because of the high rate of consumption of rice in the country.
However stakeholders have drawn the attention of government to the need to reduce the duty payable on imported rice and to also encourage the local farmers.
National Coordinator, Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders Importers Exporters Coalition; Sir Patrick Chukwu Osita told Shipping position Daily in Lagos ,last week that importation of the product will not discourage local production, adding that it is the number one staple food for the generality of the populace.
‘’Government cannot just raise duty on rice when we all know that we don’t have rice milling equipment in the country, the duty is affecting the industry ,it has stopped many vessels that bring in rice from coming into the ports and it has tremendously affected the revenue turnover’’, he said.
According to him, the few rice mills in Nigeria cannot satisfy the consumption need of just one state in the country and there is nothing to show that the farmers are capable of producing rice enough to go round.
He urged the policy makers to review the policy because, according to him, it has affected the maritime sector and the economy of the country.
The SNFFIEC boss added that, ‘’you cannot encourage local farmers with what you call outright raising of importation levy on rice rather you use gradual process, just like India ,China ‘’.
He urged the federal government to invite investors from overseas to train the local farmers on how to produce the item.
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