The Rice Millers Association of Nigeria (RIMAN) has appealed to the Federal Government to strengthen food security by empowering local rice farmers and millers for massive production instead of boosting the economy of other countries through importation of this staple commodity into the country.
RIMAN President, Peter Daman made the appeal while speaking exclusively with LEADERSHIP in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
According to him, RIMAN has been calling on federal government to empower their members who have invested so much in the rice value chain without response. “The only response we get is, we’ll get back to you.” he said.
Daman also argued that many rice millers have shut down operations. “Even I have shut down too. I can’t run on diesel because there’s no electricity in my area, and vandals are making things worse.”
He further stressed that, “With backward integration, we plant our rice, but before morning, thieves have harvested everything. You’ve read about farmers being kidnapped, the security situation is terrible,”
The RIMAN president further stated that they have been waiting for the Agro Rangers promised by the Plateau State government to secure farmlands, but none had been seen.
“Because of this insecurity and federal government allowing imported rice to compete with local production, many farmers have given up. There’s no profit. How can someone buy a bag of fertilizer at ₦50,000, farm rice, and then sell it for ₦20,000–₦30,000.
Speaking on the way forward, he maintained that federal government must focus internally by reducing the cost of inputs, adding “You can’t increase the price of fuel and still expect farmers to produce affordably.
“There is need to stop import waivers for staples commodity like rice. We need to tackle insecurity. There should be special fuel subsidy for farmers and millers so that they can farm process and supply rice.
“Nigeria can do this if we get honest and sincere people to drive these policies. But the constant policy somersaults are damaging, one policy comes today, then tomorrow it’s reversed.”
He added that people invested heavily in rice production due to previous good policies of government, “that is why we saw rice mills everywhere adding many are closing down.
“Some rice millers are calling me; they want to sell their machines. Others are in serious bank debt as a result of the loan they obtained. Interest rates is too high. You can’t run a business in such an environment,” he added.
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