The Maize Council has described the call by some groups in the country to lift the ban on maize importation in the country as unpatriotic and a disservice to maize farmers and the country’s agriculture.
The Maize council consisting of Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) and Maize Growers, Farmers and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAGFAMAN) stated this at a media briefing in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
The National President of MAAN Dr. Bello Abubakar in his speech said the agitation by some associations including the Poultry Association of Nigeria seeking authorized dealers and the General Public to import maize grain from the official foreign exchange market is seen as a calculated attempt to further hinder maize production in Nigeria.
Dr. Bello said the current high price of maize grains in the country is a passing phase as the council is working to ensure that the price drops soon adding that the increase in price is largely as a result of the negative effect of Covid-19 pandemic on farming activities and activities of hoarders.
“It is occasioned by the Covid-19 Pandemic that disrupted supply chains and increased the cost of inputs for many farming activities. In addition, hoarding of maize grains by some commodity agents also resulted in artificial scarcity and attendant price hike”
He disclosed that the Federal Government through the CBN has approved the release of 300,000MT of maize grains from the Strategic Grains Reserve (SGR) to help cushion the adverse effect of maize grain price hike and scarcity in the country.
With such plans in place by the federal government, Dr. Abubakar said it is needless, counterproductive and unrealistic to lift ban on maize grain importation as Importation at this crucial period will serve as disincentive to maize production, maize farmers and food chain system in the country.
“We believe that not acceding to maize importation will aid not only attaining food security as a nation but also in creating job opportunities and fostering economic development as well. Finally, the action will increase local production, stimulate a rapid economic recovery, increase jobs opportunities and safeguard rural livelihoods”
On his part the National President of Maize Growers, Farmers and Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAGFAMAN) Dr. Edwin Uche said any attempt to import maize at this point that agricultural revolution is garnering support from the people would be a huge disservice to farmers particularly the youths.
He said many people have accepted agriculture as a business and as a source of livelihood in the country and that the adverse effect of maize importation would cost some Nigerians their source of livelihood.
Dr. Uche added that the maize value chain has created employment for many youths in the country and any move contrary to sustaining the gains in the sector would end up rendering some youths jobless and the ripple effect on the society could be better imagined.
Dominica Nwabufo
