Nigerian Farmers Advocate for Locally Produced Food and Livestock

Nigerian farmers are calling for a focus on locally made food and livestock, citing the high cost of imported products. President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kabir Ibrahim, highlighted the challenges posed by importing food items, particularly rice and maize.

Ibrahim pointed out that importing rice from countries like India is expensive due to the high exchange rate. He explained, "The cheapest rice in the world comes from India; the landing cost of one bag of 50kg of rice is $58 from India." When factoring in the current exchange rate, the cost exceeds N60,000 per bag of rice. This makes it difficult for imported rice to compete with locally produced rice in Nigeria.

Similarly, Ibrahim noted that while Brazil offers cheaper maize, the cost of importing it is higher than sourcing it locally. He emphasized the importance of supporting local production to ensure competitive pricing and availability of food items within the country.

Regarding livestock, Ibrahim disputed claims that 70% of imported livestock comes from Niger Republic. He clarified that while some cattle are imported from Niger Republic due to their size and horn type, the majority of livestock in Nigeria comes from northern Nigeria. He also mentioned his personal experience as a poultry farmer, stating that farmers from Niger Republic often purchase eggs from Nigerian farms near the border.

In conclusion, Ibrahim stressed the need to prioritize locally produced food and livestock to promote food security and economic growth in Nigeria.