Rice Farmers Lament Increasing Imports As Income Vanishes

News in brief:

-Farmers say increased rice imports following a government waiver are undermining local rice production in Nigeria.

-Rising input costs and climate pressures are further threatening the sustainability of local rice farming.

Rice farmers in Nigeria have raised concerns over the growing influx of imported rice, warning that the trend is weakening local production and eroding farmers’ incomes.

The farmers expressed their concerns in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

According to reports, local rice production has declined since the Federal Government introduced an import duty waiver on rice and other essential commodities in 2024.

Farmers Blame Import Waiver for Declining Production

Acting Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Sakin Agbayewa, said local rice farmers have faced increasing difficulties due to the rising volume of imported rice entering the Nigerian market.

He noted that the continued renewal of the import waiver has led to large shipments of rice being brought into the country, creating intense competition for local producers. According to him, the development is pushing many farmers out of business.

Rising Production Costs Worsen Farmers’ Challenges

Agbayewa explained that climate change has also affected rice cultivation, with irregular weather patterns disrupting production cycles. He added that rising fertiliser prices and increasing costs of agricultural inputs are placing additional pressure on farmers.

The situation, he said, has become difficult for small-scale farmers who already operate with limited resources. The AFAN official questioned how local farmers could compete with imported rice that is often sold at significantly lower prices.

He explained that while a farmer may sell a bag of locally produced rice at around ₦60,000 to ₦65,000, importers can bring in large quantities and sell at about ₦40,000 per bag. This price difference, he said, is discouraging farmers from cultivating rice during the current planting season.

Calls for Government Support

Also speaking, Lagos State Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Raphael Hunsa, urged the government to introduce measures that would support local rice producers.

He said many farmers are struggling to afford fertilisers and other production inputs, making it difficult to break even. According to him, creating an enabling environment for farmers would strengthen local production and reduce dependence on imported rice.

A rice trader in Agege, Tolu Ajiboye, confirmed that the increased availability of imported rice has caused a noticeable drop in market prices. She explained that a 50kg bag of rice that sold between ₦61,000 and ₦63,000 during the Easter period now sells between ₦51,000 and ₦55,000, depending on the brand.

Ajiboye added that some local producers now package their rice in foreign-branded bags to compete with imported products, reflecting the growing consumer preference for cheaper imported rice in the market.