Farmers applaud Tinubu’s tax waiver on essential food items

By George George Idowu

The South-West Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Dr. Femi Oke, has expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for the relief of import taxes on essential food commodities.

The farmers chairman noted that the relief of import taxes will have exponential effect on rice which was a common food item in every household across the country.

He emphasized the importance of affordable mechanized farming for local farmers to boost their food production capacity and reduce food inflation and crisis.

He praised President Tinubu’s Sunday address on strategies adopted to bring down cost of food items emphasizing the need for swift action to curb inflation and ensure food security to end hunger protests in the country.

On the part of Mojeed Iyiola, Chairman of the Poultry Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, he stressed the importance of implementing these policies and ensuring that mechanized equipment and inputs reach the right hands.

He commended Tinubu’s agricultural policies but warned against mismanagement and corruption.

Agriculture analyst Omotunde Banjoko also praised the federal government’s initiatives but urged for prompt and transparent implementation.

However Banjoko cautioned against long-term reliance on imports, advocating for the support of local food cultivation to sustain the sector.

Generally, farmers associations called for immediate action to realize the promises made, ensuring that the benefits reach the grassroots level to effectively address food security challenges in Nigeria.

In his nationwide address on Sunday, President Tinubu announced the importation of mechanized farming equipment to boost food production and ease current hardships.

He also revealed plans to cultivate over 10 million hectares of land for domestic food production.