God punish pdp that inculcated the spirit of laziness, quick money consciousness n materialism in the minds of our youths

Dont see any difference here because stopping the importation of rice is suppose to encourage the local production of rice yet the price of locallly produced good stuffs are still very expensive like rice , garri and so on .

slimfit1:


If we have 50% of Nigerians that think like you we are ready to go place God Bless you. But let us know the product he is selling so we can avoid it please.

God bless you and priceaction!

I am sorry to say that this government is very illiterate.

we say we have no dollar.

These rice the Nigerian govt is allowing to spoil was bought with dollars by Nigerians.

APC just keeps punishing Nigerians.

A cup of rice is N100 while beans is N80...

Progressive01:
E no easy to be president honestly. This situation presents us with an option that has far reaching consequence on government's policy on locally made products.

Here's the scenario:

You open up the borders, allow the products in, receive duties on them earning the government some revenue, the increased supply means a drop in market price of the commodity, consumers would be happy with that but local producers would suffer losses and the policy and campaign to patronise home made products would suffer some moral setback.

So, what do we do

Very simple,what India did in the early 80s was not to ban outright importation of items but to levy them heavily by that the price of the local goods will be cheaper. In this case I think all the government needs to do is to allow the rice in but heavily taxed ,there will be a serious price gap between the local ones and the imported. Any one who wishes to eat imported rice will know that he or she will pay higher. Then the food will be available. We must understand that it is food we are talking about here and not any luxury item,banning and seizing those bags of rice without having a robust local production of rice simply amounts to punishing the people. And I am very sure even buhari himself eats imported rice ,so why punish the innocent zombie masses?

And yet they can't see the change. Sai Buhari!

Progressive01:
E no easy to be president honestly. This situation presents us with an option that has far reaching consequence on government's policy on locally made products.

Here's the scenario:

You open up the borders, allow the products in, receive duties on them earning the government some revenue, the increased supply means a drop in market price of the commodity, consumers would be happy with that but local producers would suffer losses and the policy and campaign to patronise home made products would suffer some moral setback.

So, what do we do

Maintain the ban on importation through land boarders. The duties received will mostly enrich private corrupt politicians. The ban, on the other hand will enrich farmers and spur more people into rice farming. Employment creation in the region of thousands of people

nonjebose:

Maintain the ban on importation through land boarders. The duties received will mostly enrich private corrupt politicians. The ban, on the other hand will enrich farmers and spur more people into rice farming. Employment creation in the region of thousands of people

you don't ban food items outrightly like that without having a substitute in place to fill the gap. People are dying of hunger in Nigeria or is it until u see dead bodies on the streets that u will realize what we are talking about? This government appears clueless about the way forward that is just the basic fact and everyone is complaining about that,lets not sugarcoat the bitter truth.

onatisi:
Very simple,what India did in the early 80s was not to ban outright importation of items but to levy them heavily by that the price of the local goods will be cheaper. In this case I think all the government needs to do is to allow the rice in but heavily taxed ,there will be a serious price gap between the local ones and the imported. Any one who wishes to eat imported rice will know that he or she will pay higher. Then the food will be available. We must understand that it is food we are talking about here and not any luxury item,banning and seizing those bags of rice without having a robust local production of rice simply amounts to punishing the people. And I am very sure even buhari himself eats imported rice ,so why punish the innocent zombie masses?

The ban is thru land borders. Importation by sea is heavily taxed, hence the smuggling thru land. Opening the borders to heavily tax them will not stop people from trying to evade authority and paying.

nonjebose:

The ban is thru land borders. Importation by sea is heavily taxed, hence the smuggling thru land. Opening the borders to heavily tax them will not stop people from trying to evade authority and paying.

Then that is where govt should step in. They have all the apparatus to make it work and ppl pay. They can formulate a system that ppl cant beat. It doesn't make too much sense telling ppl not to import from land borders but only through the sea ports?

Sibrah:
Even if the rice is allowed into the country it will face a far stiffer competition from the local one now . . .

Where are the local ones?

Its a pity that Nigeria as a nation depends so much on importation for its food. If we like rice so much, why don't we wake up and start production. Thailand alone is able to feed its own people and the entire Nigeria and counting. This is sad. What are we going to do if we are in a war situation with Thailand or we have embargoes imposed on us.
I wish there can be total ban on importation of rice.

Progressive01:
E no easy to be president honestly. This situation presents us with an option that has far reaching consequence on government's policy on locally made products.

Here's the scenario:

You open up the borders, allow the products in, receive duties on them earning the government some revenue, the increased supply means a drop in market price of the commodity, consumers would be happy with that but local producers would suffer losses and the policy and campaign to patronise home made products would suffer some moral setback.

So, what do we do

You could imitate Ghana
Open borders then Govt should buy from local farmers and store like Joseph did then next mid year close borders.Everyone will be happy atlest

onatisi:

Then that is where govt should step in. They have all the apparatus to make it work and ppl pay. They can formulate a system that ppl cant beat. It doesn't make too much sense telling ppl not to import from land borders but only through the sea ports?

True. But govt is only admitting to how porous our land borders are. Its a quick fix solution.

onatisi:
you don't ban food items outrightly like that without having a substitute in place to fill the gap. People are dying of hunger in Nigeria or is it until u see dead bodies on the streets that u will realize what we are talking about? This government appears clueless about the way forward that is just the basic fact and everyone is complaining about that,lets not sugarcoat the bitter truth.

I am generally not in support of many of the present government policies or lack of it, but on this one they are right. The ban on land import has been on since OBJ tenure, due to our laziness and lack of foresight, previous govt have had course to relax this policy in order to pander to people's cry. Where has this gotten us, massive dependence on importation of basic food commodities, capital flight and crippling unemployment. I am afraid of the number young people seeking to earn a living, but who would not leave the comfort of their homes to engage in farming, because of its un attractiveness and poor patronage

onatisi:
you don't ban food items outrightly like that without having a substitute in place to fill the gap. People are dying of hunger in Nigeria or is it until u see dead bodies on the streets that u will realize what we are talking about? This government appears clueless about the way forward that is just the basic fact and everyone is complaining about that,lets not sugarcoat the bitter truth.

But isn't it a shame that a country of over 180M can't provide enough rice to feed itself? Wit all our arable lands and great weather?

wellmax:
Its a pity that Nigeria as a nation depends so much on importation for its food. If we like rice so much, why don't we wake up and start production. Thailand alone is able to feed its own people and the entire Nigeria and counting. This is sad. What are we going to do if we are in a war situation with Thailand or we have embargoes imposed on us.
I wish there can be total ban on importation of rice.

Good you mentioned Thailand
Have you google to find out how their govt made things easy for farmers
How they were able to get loan at very low rate
How there is internet availablility at there farms
How farm settlements has infrastructure etc
Etc.
Let our government do there part first and see if Nja will not start exporting rice
Just like we had fuel subsidy before
Thai also have rice subsidy scheme
The rice program introduced in 2011 sought to buy rice from local farmers at above-market prices, stockpile them to drive up global prices, and then sell them for increased revenue.

wellmax:
Its a pity that Nigeria as a nation depends so much on importation for its food. If we like rice so much, why don't we wake up and start production. Thailand alone is able to feed its own people and the entire Nigeria and counting. This is sad. What are we going to do if we are in a war situation with Thailand or we have embargoes imposed on us.
I wish there can be total ban on importation of rice.

Well said. Exactly what I am trying to let people know. It is so pathetic. Yet, we are crying unemployment and hunger.

joinnow:

Good you mentioned Thailand
Have you google to find out how their govt made things easy for farmers
How they were able to get loan at very low rate
How there is internet availablility at there farms
How farm settlements has infrastructure etc
Etc.
Let our government do there part first and see if Nja will not start exporting rice

I bet you importers love the fast money. They will ensure no policy works. How? They simply get the loans and go back to importation. I believe there must be a ban first.
Nigerians must learn to produce what we eat. Its safe, its the right this to do.
The previous administration started some stuff, and the preset governemt is making moves too. Let's see what comes out from this year's expected harvests.

Something I picked out of this news report is that the Nigerian Customs Service is now far more effective.


For ages Nigeria has been banning the importation of rice to increase local production but the bans never for once even affected the volume of rice coming into Nigeria because we had a non-existent NCS. With the high cost of rice now and this report that billions of dollars worth of rice is hanging idly in cotonou, it seems like the Customs guys have now woken up.

This PROCESS of CHANGE is one painful one though, but Nigeria would eventually be better for it if things like this can be sustained.

onatisi:

Then that is where govt should step in. They have all the apparatus to make it work and ppl pay. They can formulate a system that ppl cant beat. It doesn't make too much sense telling ppl not to import from land borders but only through the sea ports?

This is one of the policies. Importing through land enriches neighbouring countries and continues to encourage smuggling, Look, the moment there is acute shortage, rice farming will hit an all time high. This is the best policy. In the meantime, other carbohydrate ( CHO) abound around

benzion72:


Where are the local ones?

They have been sold out on arrival. That alone says alot.

I will be very happy with this government for the 1st time if this very move is sustained.

Imagine what $3billion dollars would have done to the pockets of local investors on rice farming.

I bet once they see such turnover, they will further invest in rice production locally.
On the other hand, our demand for fx for these rice importations will be reduced by a whopping $3 billion. Just subtract 3billion from our 24 billion current external reserve, u will see the drastic ease of fx on both banks and black market, with that, we will be inches close to balancing our payments, and dollars will no longer be in high demand which will in turn reduce the price to a barest minimum.


I am for good governance , if buhari get things right from now till 2019, sorry, I might vote him again. If this very thing is repeated in our auto industry, God knows how much that will be saved.

onatisi:

Then that is where govt should step in. They have all the apparatus to make it work and ppl pay. They can formulate a system that ppl cant beat. It doesn't make too much sense telling ppl not to import from land borders but only through the sea ports?

Allowing importation from land borders with the kind of corrupt Customs officers we have, that amounts to just permitting smuggling with the effective collaboration of the Customs guys; no single kobo of the duty paid would get to govt...

I think it is difficult tracking goods coming in through land borders unlike goods coming in through the seaports. Hence most of the revenue from duties are lost for goods coming in through land; we end up enriching neighbouring countries at our expense cos the importers pay duties to neighbouring countries, pay a token bribe to Customs officials at land borders and then import their ruce without paying a dime to govt.

priceaction:

Trust me bro, the problem is that no body want to go to farm again. Everyone want to be bankers or work in slumberger or Mobil ( even agricultural engineering and agric related graduates). And many states have rendered their youths to begger, just like ekiti.
No thanks to the government that can't declare state of emergency on agricultural research and products via mechanized farming. We seriously need mecahnized farming this country. I wonder why federal government can't partner with LG over federation to invest in specialised agricultural products that can grow well in each LG to boost crop production. Similar thing was done during ibb regime through ,was it MAMSER or DIFRII programs (dunno exact name).
The news is good if we know how to make use of it.

I think the first step is making the environment safe and favourable for farmers. Provision of good roads and storage facilities. My dear go to rural areas and watch how farm products are being wasted. I watched one program on NTA and it was about a town that has fishing as their occupation yet no body knew they exist just because the only means of transportation there is bike and you would drive like two hours plus before you get there. Now tell how someone from that village would prefer to sit his asss down in that village farming and eating only fish. I believe our government has a lot to do if they really want our local farmers to be patronised.

priceaction:

Trust me bro, the problem is that no body want to go to farm again. Everyone want to be bankers or work in slumberger or Mobil ( even agricultural engineering and agric related graduates). And many states have rendered their youths to begger, just like ekiti.
No thanks to the government that can't declare state of emergency on agricultural research and products via mechanized farming. We seriously need mecahnized farming this country. I wonder why federal government can't partner with LG over federation to invest in specialised agricultural products that can grow well in each LG to boost crop production. Similar thing was done during ibb regime through ,was it MAMSER or DIFRII programs (dunno exact name).
The news is good if we know how to make use of it.

You not gonna believe how some store keepers divert improved variety seeds to ( cooked in their houses. That's just plain stupidity! But they don't care. So long we still have people like that who are driven by selfishness without any sense of patriotism..... Don't even wanna finish the sentence.

wellmax:


But isn't it a shame that a country of over 180M can't provide enough rice to feed itself? Wit all our arable lands and great weather?

The problem with Nigeria is the leaders. To be honest with ourselves ,buhari met problems on ground but what is needed now isn't a quick fix solution but a long term planned out policy . Most past governments were only focusing on quick fix in order to have something to campaign on and when u plan for the long term you don't suffer the people now.you actually change the tune in phases, the problem with the nation has been the get rich syndrome ,ppl want to invest on Monday and get their profit by Friday and for this mentality to change it will take time. Wha should happen is a solution to the current problem with a complete comprehensive plan for a permanent solution. Agric is the next big hit but right now we don't have the local production to meet the full demand of the nation

wellmax:


I bet you importers love the fast money. They will ensure no policy works. How? They simply get the loans and go back to importation. I believe there must be a ban first.
Nigerians must learn to produce what we eat. Its safe, its the right this to do.
The previous administration started some stuff, and the preset governemt is making moves too. Let's see what comes out from this year's expected harvests.

Just like baning generator when govt has not fix electricity.
We should learn how to walk first before flying.

chigoizie7:
I will be very happy with this government for the 1st time if this very move is sustained.

Imagine what $3billion dollars would have done to the pockets of local investors on rice farming.

I bet once they see such turnover, they will further invest in rice production locally.
On the other hand, our demand for fx for these rice importations will be reduced by a whopping $3 billion. Just subtract 3billion from our 24 billion current external reserve, u will see the drastic ease of fx on both banks and black market, with that, we will be inches close to balancing our payments, and dollars will no longer be in high demand which will in turn reduce the price to a barest minimum.


I am for good governance , if buhari get things right from now till 2019, sorry, I might vote him again. If this very thing is repeated in our auto industry, God knows how much that will be saved.

PMB wife say she will not campaign for her husband come 2019 if things continue this way.see your life

obailala:
Allowing importation from land borders with the kind of corrupt Customs officers we have, that amounts to just permitting smuggling with the effective collaboration of the Customs guys; no single kobo of the duty paid would get to govt...

I think it is difficult tracking goods coming in through land borders unlike goods coming in through the seaports. Hence most of the revenue from duties are lost for goods coming in through land; we end up enriching neighbouring countries at our expense cos the importers pay duties to neighbouring countries, pay a token bribe to Customs officials at land borders and then import their ruce without paying a dime to govt.

Thank you ,this is where I support and also disagree with u. Let me tell you something,if you privatise the land borders ,you will be amazed at the drastic drop in corrupt practises there but the notion those custom ppl have is that it is Nigeria money so lets chop . I am not saying they should privatise but govt can do it to the extent that every single shipment or goods through the border will be accounted for .we are in the 21st century and all these things isn't rocket science as all these politicians are making it look.but the point is the political will to do it. There is nothing impossible . Now look at the combined revenue from the seaport and land borders from rice and imagine how much money government will make.

joinnow:


Just like baning generator when govt has not fix electricity.
We should learn how to walk first before flying.

No there are not same thing. The ban of generators is on the smaller ones for ecological reasons. It will be foolishness to totally ban generators when we don't have reliable power and can't fix that in short term. But food, we must produce what we eat. That doesn't require a long term as compared to power.
It is in this case that i will expect to hear that ' it is not rocket science'