Somewhere in the Eastern Nigeria , it is said that if you haven’t been hungry for a certain time ,you won’t be smart and develop ways to feed yourself . But how true is this statement for the generality of Nigerians ,time will tell . Rice, a staple in Nigeria and the coveted food for any celebration in Nigeria. About months ago ,the price if this mom staple has increased to over 100℅ , a 50kg was selling about N9,000 but as of last month (September) it jumped to N22,000. When the Nigerian customs announced the lifting of ban on this commodity , Nigerians heaved a sigh of relieve. How this trade policy will affect the economy vis a vis the much touted agro revolution and diversified economy has been an issue of debate.




Economic watchers have said that the lifting of the ban on rice has rubbished the government moves on agricultural revolution. States like Anambra , Ebonyi, Ogun and other states have invested heavily in rice production. This ranges from fertilisers, research on disease resistance species and rice mills. These investment runs in million and with this lifting of ban in rice importation , these investment are almost dead with little return on the investments(ROI). This is because the local rice producers can’t and don’t have the capacity to compete with foreign rice producers that have developed comparative advantage on rice production and at the same time not their various countries subsidies which the local producers don’t enjoy.


It had been reported that Nigeria rice importation runs in billions of dollars annually. Within the time if review 2013 – 2015) Nigeria imported rice worth over 10 billions Naira and 300 metric tonnes. This is the money that the country is losing in capital flight . Rice production has the capacity to generate billions and when you consider the value chain such as milling, packaging ,marketing and exportation of local rice to other countries, you will understand the impact of this policy and how it has affected this industry adversely. In a nutshell. We are losing jobs to the rice production nations like Thailand, Vietnam, USA and other. We keep them in business of rice production while we run ourselves out of business...https://etimesafrica./2016/10/10/lifting-the-ban-on-rice-killing-local-mills-in-one-swoop/

I support the removal of the ban. Let the expensive foreign alternative and its local rival seat on the shelves of stores and slug it out. The local rice is guaranteed to come out on top. With dollar rate going up it will be hard for foreign rice to remain as attractive as it used to be.
This is one advantage of a devalued Naira free from the indirect forex subsidy.

Sibrah:
I support the removal of the ban. Let the expensive foreign alternative and its local rival seat on the shelves of stores and slug it out. The local rice is guaranteed to come out on top. With dollar rate going up it will be hard for foreign rice to remain as attractive as it used to be.
This is one advantage of a devalued Naira free from the indirect forex subsidy.

Nice one

ariesbull:


Nice one

After the local option has beaten its foreign counterpart in the local market it will go on to foreign market and attempt to beat the foreign rice and possibly earn the much needed dollar with which to buy/import toothpick and Brazilian hair.

Sibrah:
After the local option has beaten its foreign counterpart in the local market it will go on to foreign market and attempt to beat the foreign rice and possibly earn the much needed dollar with which to buy/import toothpick and Brazilian hair.

Import Toothpick and Brazilian hair?

Naija man, too bad.

Let there be a fair level playing ground for all. I mean why will locally produced rice from the east sell in the east for 18k is it because the foreign rice spiked to all time high at 22k I think our greed in this country should be looked into, u mentioned about subsidy I agree with u that developed countries place that on some of there agric products but at same time it's been transported and duty paid on them how come they now rub shoulder with the locally produced rice abi dem still pay duty inside naija. You made a point in all but I think the lifting of ban is a good thing like I said let there be a level playing ground, lets go to the market if I see the foreign rice and the price is high and I see the local rice the price is considerably good the I will make a choice based on my pocket.

There should not be a level playing ground. The local industry like Ofada rice, Abikiliki Rice and Lokoja Rice mills must be protected.


Thats is protectionism and that what government do

davids202:
Let there be a fair level playing ground for all. I mean why will locally produced rice from the east sell in the east for 18k is it because the foreign rice spiked to all time high at 22k I think our greed in this country should be looked into, u mentioned about subsidy I agree with u that developed countries place that on some of there agric products but at same time it's been transported and duty paid on them how come they now rub shoulder with the locally produced rice abi dem still pay duty inside naija. You made a point in all but I think the lifting of ban is a good thing like I said let there be a level playing ground, lets go to the market if I see the foreign rice and the price is high and I see the local rice the price is considerably good the I will make a choice based on my pocket.