Rice Farmers blame price hike on unscrupulous activities – Reports

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The continuous hike in rice prices in Nigeria has been attributed to the activities of unscrupulous farmers and middlemen in the sector, according to some members of the rice farmers’ associations. The leaders of these associations made this known in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria.

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Mr. Sakin Agbayewa, Vice-Chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, stated, “As regards the high price of rice, I think we are taking one step forward and five steps backward.” He linked the consistent fluctuations in rice prices to human manipulations, despite government efforts.

Agbayewa alleged that some farmers and companies are creating artificial scarcity and repackaging local rice in foreign bags to sell at high prices. “There is a high level of insincerity and dishonesty among our people. Some unscrupulous farmers, middlemen, and even retailers can be blamed for the current hike,” he said.

He also questioned the effectiveness of the government’s efforts, saying, “Some few months ago, the Federal Government came out with a waiver, giving some companies a small waiver to import rice into the country in order to crush the price. And while that was on, did they mobilise the local farmers? That is where the issue lies.”

The Chairman of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, Mr. Raphael Hunsa, called on the government to relate with real farmers for the price of rice to drop.

Agbayewa further explained that the cartel is exploiting the system, saying, “While the waiver was on, they actually imported rice into the country, and the price came down, but while they were importing, they were also warehousing. Now that the importation waiver is over, the cartel is creating artificial scarcity.

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