The domestic capacity of rice production has plummeted to 5.3 million from a historic eight million metric tonnes, the Competitive African Rice Forum – Nigeria Chapter (CARF-FSD Nigeria) has revealed.
Chairman of the group’s Board of Trustees, Peter Dama, disclosed that local rice farmers had developed their capacity, and were able to meet national needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and currently, are on the verge of bankruptcy due to government policies.
The farmers said the value chain was adversely affected by the tax-free import, decrying what they termed ‘selective waivers, smuggling, and market distortions’ to save rice farming from total collapse.
The CARF-FSD Nigeria represents a broad coalition of rice farmers, processors, millers, marketers, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and development partners.
Dama said: “We are sounding the alarm over the existential threat facing Nigeria’s rice value chain due to policy distortions, selective import waivers, and unchecked smuggling. Nigeria’s rice industry, which has seen over two decades of growth through public-private investments, now faces a potential collapse if immediate corrective actions are not taken.” (Guardian)