Nigerian Farmers has lamented influx of imported grains, say Tinubu’s Policy is killing local agriculture.
NaijaOnPoint Nigeria reports that Nigerian farmers have raised alarm over the growing dominance of imported rice and maize in local markets, blaming President Bola Tinubu’s import waiver policy for stifling domestic grain cultivation.
Expressing their frustration on social media, farmers warned that the continued flood of cheaper foreign grains is driving down prices and pushing local producers out of business.
This development follows a nationwide drop in rice and maize prices, attributed to the federal government’s 150-day import duty waiver announced in July 2024. The policy, which allows duty-free imports of staple foods like rice and maize, was initially aimed at curbing inflation and reducing food prices.
A market survey revealed that local rice now sells for N65,000 to N68,000 per 50kg bag, while maize is priced between N35,000 and N37,000, significantly lower than imported rice, which costs up to N83,000.
However, farmers say this price drop has slashed their profit margins, making local grain production unsustainable. The situation has been worsened by rising fertilizer costs, which have driven up production expenses and made it even harder for local farmers to compete.
Reacting to the crisis, Professor Godwin Oyedokun of Lead City University warned that oversupply caused by imports would hurt local agriculture. He called for urgent government intervention to protect Nigerian farmers through subsidies, import tariffs, market access support, and investment in agricultural technology.
Meanwhile, despite a slight drop in headline inflation to 22.22% in June 2025, food inflation continues to rise, standing at 21.97%. Farmers are now urging the government to reconsider its import policies and prioritize long-term food security by supporting local production.