By Fatima Saka, Obiabin Onukwugha
In a remarkable effort to tackle the urgent issue of food security, the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) applauds President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for declaring a state of emergency on food security in Nigeria.
The declaration, made on July 14th, 2023, encompasses 500,000 hectares of land under the jurisdiction of the River Basin Authorities throughout the country.
Dr. Yunusa Halidu, the National Secretary of AFAN, expressed great enthusiasm for this initiative during an interview with NatureNews.
He emphasized that the intervention aims to ensure year-round production of agricultural goods and involves collaboration between the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources, and other relevant stakeholders. The 500,000 hectares of land allocated for this program are located in the northern and southern regions, where government dams are situated.
This declaration comes at a critical time when the International Organization projects that over 25 million people in Nigeria will face acute hunger from June to August 2023. AFAN underscores the importance of collaboration, especially in addressing challenges related to production.
Dr. Halidu emphasized that AFAN is partnering with private sector companies to enhance productivity and called for the government’s support and collaboration.
“Our main challenge lies in the production sector. Many individuals have been hesitant to invest in production. As an organization, we are working alongside private sector companies to boost productivity. This program initiated by the new government is a welcome initiative for Nigerian farmers, and we hope for the government’s collaboration,” stated Dr. Halidu.
Meanwhile, under President Tinubu’s leadership, the Federal Government of Nigeria recently announced the reopening of the Seme border, which had been closed during the previous administration. This decision has generated mixed reactions from various stakeholders, particularly within the rice industry.
According to Ignatius Chukwu, a Business Analyst and Bureau Chief of Business Day Newspaper in Rivers State, the reopening of the border will have implications for both rice producers and consumers. While consumers are likely to benefit from lower prices and increased availability, local producers may face challenges due to the high cost of production.
Chukwu explained that the influx of imported rice into the market would lower its price, posing difficulties for local rice to compete with the imported alternative.
Chukwu criticized the timing of such policy decisions, emphasizing the importance of careful consideration and consultations within a fully constituted cabinet.
“The Federal government should establish a cabinet where the Minister of Agriculture can present various indices, scenarios, studies on our local rice production, capacities, capabilities, volume, and quantity, and compare them against importation. Unfortunately, many of these sensitive policies are being made when there is no cabinet, leading to decisions made by one individual or a faceless caucus. The only recognized decision-making body in any country is the Federal Executive Council, where policies are adequately debated. However, when important policies like subsidy removal, foreign exchange policies, or border policies are made without a fully constituted cabinet, they become challenging,” said Chukwu.
He argued that sensitive policies like border closures or reopening should be debated within the Federal Executive Council to ensure a comprehensive evaluation of potential impacts on local industries and the economy.
“The reopening of our borders will impact goods that are smuggled into Nigeria. Properly regulated goods enter Nigeria through official channels, with dues paid and quality control in place. On the other hand, smuggled goods benefit greatly from open borders. Rice is commonly smuggled into the country. Opening the border will naturally impact local pricing, reducing the cost per bag and benefiting traders and consumers. However, attention should be directed towards our local farmers and their efforts in rice production. When imported rice floods the market and its price decreases, local rice, which incurs high labor and transportation costs, as well as inputs like fertilizers and pesticides, will remain expensive. This will automatically increase the demand for imported rice and decrease the demand for local rice. Local rice farmers will not be pleased with this policy, especially if they have taken loans for production and are uncertain about repayment,” Chukwu explained.
He acknowledged that opening borders aligns with international practices of open markets. However, he noted that border closures defy global policies, leading to disapproval from international agencies such as the World Bank, World Trade Organization (WTO), and International Monetary Fund (IMF).
On the other hand, Kingsley Emeka, a rice dealer at the popular Creek Road Market, welcomed the decision to reopen the border, citing the potential for reduced rice prices.
Emeka acknowledged that local production might be affected but expressed confidence in the preference for Nigerian rice due to its taste and quality.
He also called on customs to reduce import duties on foodstuffs to support affordable pricing for consumers.
As the Nigerian government takes measures to address food security concerns and stimulate agricultural productivity, the impact of border reopening on local farmers and consumers remains a topic of intense debate.
Achieving a balance between domestic production needs and the advantages of open trade presents a complex challenge that necessitates thoughtful consideration and collaborative efforts among all stakeholders involved.