ABUJA- AN Agric firm, Jet FarmsNG, weekend, urged President Bola Tinubu, to reverse policy on suspension of duties, tariffs, and taxes on essential food items for 150 days at the detriment of the efforts of local farmers who had spent millions of Naira on exorbitant prices of farm inputs.
In a chat with Vanguard, the Chief Farmer of Africa and Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Jet FarmsNG, Jerry Tobi, argued that there is no need to hurriedly go into panic to open land and sea borders to import food items that farmers in the country are already on and ready to harvest soon.
Tobi pointed out that the intentions might be good, but the execution was uncalculated, hence, there is need for a critical look at the “Federal Government’s Duty-Free Import Policy on Essential Food Items.”
He said: “As the Chief Farmer of Africa, I am deeply concerned about the recent announcement by the Federal Government to suspend duties, tariffs, and taxes on essential food items for a 150-day period. While the intention behind this policy to alleviate food inflation and enhance food security is commendable, the approach appears to be poorly calculated and raises several critical questions that demand urgent answers.
“How did we get here? Understanding the root causes of the current food inflation crisis is crucial. Over the years, various policies and structural inefficiencies have contributed to this situation. Issues such as inadequate support for local farmers, poor infrastructure, and inconsistent agricultural policies have compounded the problem. A thorough analysis of these factors is necessary to prevent repeating past mistakes.
“What were the mistakes of the past? Identifying and learning from past errors in agricultural policy and implementation is essential. The lack of consistent support for local farmers, insufficient investment in agricultural infrastructure, and failure to create a conducive environment for agribusiness have all contributed to the current crisis. It is crucial for the government to address these issues and ensure that future policies are well-informed and effectively executed.
“Why should we still be importing despite our large farmland mass and over 40 million farmers? Nigeria’s vast agricultural resources and a workforce of over 40 million farmers should ideally make the country self-sufficient in food production. However, the reliance on imports suggests systemic issues within the agricultural sector. The government needs to focus on enhancing local production capabilities, providing adequate support to farmers, and addressing barriers that hinder agricultural productivity.
“What strategic plans has the government implemented to ensure food security? Following the President’s initial announcement of a State of Emergency on food security, it appears that subsequent actions have been inadequate. The government must provide a clear account of the strategic plans implemented to address food security and the outcomes of these initiatives.
“Transparency and accountability are crucial in assessing the effectiveness of these measures. Issues such as the land clearing of 500,000 hectares, deployment of concessionary capital/funding (like the NADF ginger fund of $1 billion for a value chain that produces over $4 billion), and the Central Bank’s role in funding the agricultural value chain need to be addressed.
