President Muhammadu Buhari pledged in his New Year message that the importation of rice will be banned this year, but some are critical about the actualization and preparedness of Nigeria.
“Two years ago I appealed to people to go back to the land. I am highly gratified that agriculture has picked up, contributing to the government’s effort to re-structure the economy.
“Rice imports will stop this year. Local rice, fresher and more nutritious will be on our dishes from now on.” He said.
Nigeria, a rice nation
Nigerians’ love for this stable food saw the nation import nearly 17 million tonnes over the last five years.
Following President Buhari’s call for local and indigenous farmers to help feed 170 million Nigerians, several agri-businesses have been set up, including Olam, a multi-national agribusiness in Rukubi village near River Benue in Nassarawa state.
This is one of the largest rice farms in Nigeria, although it grows 50,000 tonnes each year, it is still just a small fraction of the country’s demand.
According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the Country imported 2.3 million tonnes in 2016; about half of its estimated requirements.
The Minister of Agriculture Audu Ogbeh called for the end of the culture.
“We can’t afford $5m a day for rice shipments in this country. It’s gone on for 40 years. And I assure you that it’s our reckless policy of importation that’s brought Nigeria down to where she is now.
“Those who keep talking of imports either don’t mean Nigeria well or simply refuse to recognise the fact that we can’t afford the imports.”
The Director of Agriculture at the Kano office of the Federal Ministry of Agricultural, Muhammad Adamu, earlier announced that local rice production in Nigeria has now reached 15 million metric tonnes annually.
The development implies that the country will now be saving about N300 billion formerly used annually on importation; Kano State produces about 1.2 million tonnes of rice in 2016.
Other reports also indicate that imported rice from Thailand has dropped from 644,191 Metric Tonnes to 21,000 Metric Tonnes within September 2015- 2017.
A data provided by the global Agricultural Market Information System, (AMIS), showed that Nigeria’s rice importation reduced to 2.310 million metric tons within 2016 to 2017.
According to the data, Nigeria’s domestic supply of rice stood at 3.850 million metric tons in 2015 to 2016, while the figure reduced to 3.620 million metric tons within the period of 2016 to 2017.
The data also indicated that Nigeria’s domestic consumption of rice stood at 5.530 million metric tons in 2015 and 2017.
AMIS also forecast Nigeria’s rice importation, as expected in 2018 with a rise from 2.310 million metric tons in 2017, to 2.830 million metric tons in 2018.
Nigeria’s rice figures
* Imported nearly 17 million tonnes over the past five years
* Imported 2.3 million tonnes in 2016
* 2016 demand was 5.2 million tonnes
* Spends $5m (£4m) a day for rice shipments
* Rice accounted for 1.26% of the entire budget for 2017
