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  • World Food Day: Bayelsa procures modern rice processing machines, trains youth farmers

    World Food Day: Bayelsa procures modern rice processing machines, trains youth farmers

    Bayelsa State has procured modern milling equipment to increase the production and processing of rice in the state.

    Governor Douye Diri, who disclosed this on Thursday at this year’s World Food Day celebration at the Peace Park in Yenagoa, the state capital, said the equipment include automated dryer, boilers and colour separation machines.

    Addressing farmers, who exhibited various produce, Diri said his administration has supported them with loans and trained them in modern farming skills.

    His words: “We went into partnership with the Korean government and they supplied us equipment that can produce 40 tonnes of rice daily.

    “We were however lacking three equipment, which were automated dryer, boilers and colour separation machines. When the Agriculture Commissioner brought it to my knowledge, immediately government approved the purchase of the equipment and they are on their way.”

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    According him, government trained about 700 youths at the CSS Farms in Nasarawa State as well as 200 in soilless farming in Abeokuta, Ogun State, noting that they were making impact in farming and fishing.

    He expressed delight that his administration’s effort in the agricultural sector was yielding positive results as evidenced in the testimonies of the trainees and the reduction of prices of essential commodities such as garri and other staple food.

    “We are happy to hear that prices of essential commodities are dropping. We encourage more people to go into cassava production so that the price of garri will be stable.”

    He stated that as part of efforts to encourage farmers, government was rehabilitating the fish farms at Yenigue and Angalabiri and ensure that they become functional.

    He also said government had approved construction of a road from the Glory Drive to link the Yenigue fish farm for easy evacuation of produce.

    The governor urged the ljaw ethnic nationality to go into massive farming as it was a money-spinning business even as he condemned the use of chemicals in processing and preservation of agricultural produce.

    In his remarks, the Commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Prof. Beke Sese, said another batch of 200 youths was approved for training at the CSS Farms in cassava and fish farming as well as cultivation of vegetables.

    According to him, the trainees, in addition to the previous ones, were given starter packs and organised into clusters to position them as new generation of agric entrepreneurs.

    Sese stated that during the 2024 dry farming season, government supported farmers with rice seedlings, irrigation kits and distributed over 20,000 bundles of cassava stems across the eight local government areas, with a projected yield of 6,700 tonnes of cassava tubers.

    He also said that over 5,000 bags of fertilisers were distributed to farmers and that the ministry partnered with the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research to support oil palm farmers in order to improve oil palm seedlings as well as offered funding support to 100 agric entrepreneurs.

    In their goodwill messages, Mercy Igbani, Kingdom Obira, Itari Uwotu, Josephine Akari and Victory Ichie, on behalf of the Otuokpoti Rice Cluster, Agripreneurs, CSS Trainees, Cassava Farmers and LIFE-ND/IFAD respectively, thanked government for the grant they received to add value to the agric sector.

    They appealed to government to provide a processing hub to be able to package and market their products and make Bayelsa one of the top food producers.

  • Rice agonistes

    Rice agonistes

    For whatever reason that happens to be the case, rice is about the most popular food item on Nigerian tables. Its market price is often used to benchmark the health of the economy, with more traditional food items not getting that same reckoning. And so, however you look at it, rice is key among food staples in this country. 

    Recently, rice farmers were reported blaming the surging price of the product on activities of middlemen and cartels whose members hoard the item for profiteering motive, thereby undermining efforts by government to stabilise the market. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) cited their leaders it spoke with saying unscrupulous operators in the sector were creating artificial scarcity to fuel market price. But they also accused government of not coordinating with genuine operators in measures it applied to tame prices.

    Vice-chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Sakin Agbayewa, argued that fluctuations in the price of rice owed to human manipulation despite government’s efforts. “Few months ago, the Federal Government gave some companies a waiver to import rice into the country to crush the price. And while that was on, did they (government) mobilise local farmers? That is where the issue lies,” he said, adding: “Although government empowered a few farmers with a 75 percent reduction on cost of production while others were given fertilisers for free, the question is: those farmers who were empowered, did they really cultivate anything?”

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    The AFAN chief further argued that while the waiver was in effect, beneficiaries imported rice into the country and the price decreased. But during this same period, according to him, they warehoused much of what was imported. “Now that the importation waiver is over, the cartel is creating artificial scarcity. Some farmers also repack local rice in foreign bags to sell at high prices because they know Nigerians have a taste for foreign things,” he also said, adding: “There is a high level of insincerity and dishonesty among our people. Some unscrupulous farmers, middlemen and even retailers should be blamed for the current price hike.”

    Raphael Hunsa, chairman of Lagos State chapter of the Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RFAN), argued that government needs to engage with genuine local farmers if it wants to bring prices down. “What we can do to solve the issue of consistent price hikes is to support rice farmers in the right way. Though government is already trying, they should let their interventions get into right hands. They should invite local rice farmers to a roundtable for the formulation of right policies and programmes for the sector,” he said.

    Government, only a couple of days ago, restated commitment to tame prices towards ensuring food security of Nigerians. Well, it has its job cut out in the rice sector where 50kg bag of the product that sold between N45,000 and N55,000 just two months ago now sells at about N80,000.

  • ‘Stop waivers, smuggling to support local rice millers’

    ‘Stop waivers, smuggling to support local rice millers’

    The Competitive African Rice Forum – Nigeria Chapter (CARF-FSD Nigeria) has issued a stark warning about the future of Nigeria’s rice industry, calling for urgent government intervention to reverse what it describes as a looming collapse of the sector.

    The organisation, which represents a wide network of rice farmers, millers, processors, marketers, non-governmental organisations  and development partners, says policy inconsistencies, unchecked smuggling, and selective import waivers are dismantling two decades of progress in Nigeria’s rice self-sufficiency drive.

    Chairman of the Board of Trustees of CARF-FSD Nigeria, Peter Dama said over 13 million metric tons of domestic milling capacity now lies grossly underutilised, while imported and smuggled rice floods the market, forcing local mills to shut down and farmers to abandon their harvests.

    At the heart of the crisis, Dama said, is the Federal Government’s 180-day duty waiver on food imports, including husked brown rice, which came into effect in July 2024. The policy, introduced to curb food inflation and hoarding, has had unintended consequences.

    According to him, paddy demand plummeted, leaving farmers with stockpiled, unsold produce.

    Local mills, he said, drastically scaled down or ceased operations due to unfair competition with cheaper imports.

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    He added that thousands of rural jobs were lost, especially in major rice-producing states such as Kebbi, Kano, Ebonyi, Plateau, Benue, and Adamawa, noting that youth employment and women-led processing clusters suffered severe setbacks.

    “This waiver wiped out nearly a decade of hard-earned gains. It has crushed rural economies and reversed efforts to create inclusive, sustainable agricultural growth.”

    He however warned that if the situation persists, the fallout could extend beyond the economy.

    With general elections approaching in 2027, he said the disintegration of rural livelihoods could fuel insecurity, mass migration, and political disillusionment.

    “This is no longer just an agricultural issue — it is a political, economic, and security flashpoint,” Dama emphasised.

    Speaking further, he called on the Federal government to ensure  trade policies are transparent and equitable and reaffirm rice as a protected strategic crop.

    He said: The Federal government should enhance customs enforcement to combat smuggling along key corridors. Establish a national rice buffer stock and market stabilization program.

    “Support paddy production through irrigation, mechanization, and access to low-interest agricultural financing. Launch a nationwide campaign to restore consumer confidence in Nigerian rice.

    The group stressed that the domestic rice sector is not the cause of rising food prices, but rather the most scalable and inclusive solution to address them.

    “If protected and empowered, Nigeria’s rice industry can feed the nation, reduce import dependence, generate jobs, and drive rural development,” the group affirmed.

    They reiterated their readiness to partner with the government to secure a stable, resilient, and self-sufficient rice economy for Nigeria.

  • Export potential and global market entry strategies for Nigeria’s local rice

    Export potential and global market entry strategies for Nigeria’s local rice

    • By Oluwadara Alegbeleye

    Nigeria’s indigenous rice varieties, including Ofada, Igbemo, Abakaliki, and Ekpoma rice, possess unique characteristics that make them valuable beyond local markets. While these varieties are appreciated for their rich aroma, distinct taste, and nutritional profile, their potential remains largely untapped in the global grain trade. With the increasing demand for indigenous and nutrient-dense grains worldwide, Nigeria has a significant opportunity to position its local rice as a premium product in international markets. Achieving this however, requires overcoming multiple barriers and implementing strategic interventions.

    Rising global demand for indigenous and specialty grains

    Globally, there is a growing appetite for indigenous grains such as quinoa, fonio, millet, and teff, driven by health-conscious consumption trends and a demand for nutritious alternatives to highly processed grains. Specialty rice varieties, such as Thailand’s Jasmine rice and India’s Basmati rice, have successfully established international recognition due to well-structured branding, quality control, and export-focused policies. Nigerian rice could be similarly successful, if it is positioned strategically to meet global consumer expectations.

    Challenges limiting the export potential of Nigeria’s local rice

    Although Nigeria is historically a major rice producer, cultivation remains suboptimal due to several challenges. One major issue is the diversion of land for alternative purposes. In areas traditionally known for rice cultivation, such as Ofada, farmland has been increasingly converted to housing estates and other urban development projects, significantly reducing the available land for rice farming. Without strategic land-use policies, the long-term sustainability of rice farming in Nigeria remains at risk.

    Smallholder farmers, who produce most of Nigeria’s local rice, struggle with challenges such as limited access to high-quality agricultural input, as well as irrigation and modern farming techniques. Unpredictable weather patterns, pest infestation, and inadequate mechanization also contribute to inconsistent yields. Additionally, poor infrastructure, limited access to credit, and fluctuating government policies create an uncertain environment for rice farmers. To strengthen Nigeria’s rice sector before aiming for export expansion, it is critical to address these foundational issues. 

    Infrastructure gaps and quality standardization challenges

    Local rice varieties are often associated with inconsistent quality, varying grain sizes, and impurities such as stones. This reduces their competitiveness in international markets where stringent food safety and quality regulations apply. Compromised quality, but also significant post-harvest losses are exacerbated by poor storage facilities, outdated milling technologies, and inefficient supply chains, all of which further restrict export potential. To compete globally, local rice varieties should satisfy international safety thresholds such as pesticide residue limits, heavy metal contamination thresholds, and packaging regulations. Many Nigerian rice producers however struggle to meet these requirements due to weak regulatory enforcement and a lack of support for certification. To enhance the quality, marketability, and export potential of local rice varieties, it is essential to address these issues.

    Strategies to unlock export potential for local rice

    To successfully access and thrive in the global market, Nigeria must adopt a multi-pronged strategy that includes quality improvements, branding, strategic partnerships, and policy support.

    Relevant stakeholders should:

    • Invest in modern de-stoning and polishing technologies to meet international quality benchmarks.

    • Establish standardized grading systems for different Nigerian rice varieties.

    • Facilitate certification programs (e.g., ISO, HACCP, and organic certifications) to enhance credibility and acceptability in premium markets such as the EU and North America.

    • Develop traceability systems that allow consumers to verify the source and production methods of the rice they purchase.

    On the issue of branding and market positioning, relevant stakeholders should:

    • Promote Nigerian local rice through strategies such as emphasizing unique attributes like aroma, texture, and health benefits.

    • Implement strategic marketing campaigns that target health-conscious consumers, and position Nigerian rice as a whole-grain alternative to polished rice.

    • Leverage the Nigerian diaspora as ambassadors for local rice varieties, to encourage demand in international African food markets.

     On building strategic export partnerships, relevant stakeholders should:

    • Collaborate with established international distributors, supermarkets, and specialty food stores to introduce Nigerian rice to high-value markets.

    • Engage in trade fairs and food exhibitions to showcase Nigerian rice varieties to global buyers.

    • Partner with e-commerce platforms specializing in ethnic foods to reach wider audiences.

    While developing supportive trade policies and incentives, the Nigerian government should:

    • Establish dedicated export incentives for local rice producers, such as subsidies for quality enhancement and export logistics.

    • Strengthen trade agreements with key rice-importing countries to ease entry into their markets.

    • Provide financial support and training programs for smallholder farmers and processors to improve competitiveness.

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    Lessons from other countries

    India’s Basmati rice success story: India strategically marketed Basmati rice as a premium product by obtaining a Geographical Indication (GI) tag and investing heavily in quality control. Nigerian rice could benefit from a similar GI designation to protect and promote its identity.

    Thailand’s rice export model: Thailand became a major rice exporter by implementing strict quality control measures, government-backed export initiatives, and aggressive global marketing campaigns. Nigeria can adopt such strategies to boost the credibility of its rice in international markets.

    Roadmap to global expansion

    Nigeria’s indigenous rice varieties have great potential to compete in the global market, but a structured approach is required to drive success. A strategic focus on quality improvements, branding, creating relevant market linkages, and policy support, can transform Nigeria’s local rice sector into a major export industry. With the right investments and strategic execution, Nigerian rice can gain a strategic standing alongside the world’s most recognized specialty grains, in a way that drives economic growth and contributes to preserving the country’s rich agricultural heritage.

    •Alegbeleye is a microbiologist and science communicator. She holds a Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Campinas, São Paulo.  

  • Beware of rice racketeers this Yuletide!

    Beware of rice racketeers this Yuletide!

    When Mrs. Theresa Obioma went to the popular rice market in Daleko, Mushin, Lagos, she hoped to get good value for her money. With no known regular customer in the market, she approached one of this particular rice seller, a middle-aged woman.

    After agreeing on the price of N100,000 for a 50kg bag of long grain foreign rice, she requested that her purchase be put in the booth of her car.

    However, being aware of the dubious antics of the majority of the traders, she asked the woman if the rice was actually a full 50kg bag, to which the seller answered in the affirmative.

    Still apprehensive, she demanded that the bag of rice be weighed, and the obviously tampered scale indicated 50kg.

    Unsatisfied still, Mrs. Obioma asked the woman how many 850g D’rica cups of rice should be expected in the bag of rice and the seller expectedly said 64 cups.

    With that assurance Mrs. Obinna made full payment and warned the seller that her husband was a military man and if she finds out on the contrary that the bag of rice has lesser content, she would personally seek a refund. Again, the seller gave her all assurances that the bag of rice is exactly 50kg.

    Shortly after it began to drizzle when the loaders were at the point of hefting the bag of rice into the trunk of her car and it got a little soaked in the rain.

    On getting home, Madam Obioma became apprehensive that the rice may spoil because of the rain that touched the bag so she poured it onto a mat which she dragged under the ceiling fan to make sure that all the wetness was gotten rid of.

    By the next day, the rice had already dried so she proceeded to pour it back into the bag. However, on second thought, she decided to measure with that D’rica cup. To her consternation there were only 58 cups of rice instead of 64 cups despite all false assurances by the seller. By removing that six cups of rice, the seller had scammed her of N9,600 as a cup of that rice sells for N1,600.

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    Terribly disappointed and angry, Mrs. Obioma would later call the seller to express her misgivings and demand for a refund for the missing cups of rice.

    “If not for the fact that the bag of rice got wet, I wouldn’t have poured it out to dry so I would not have bothered to measure it,” lamented Obioma.

    The above anecdote becomes apposite in describing the growing tendencies by rice vendors to cheat unsuspecting customers and this is usually common during the festive periods.

    Rice is one of the major staple foods in Nigeria. It is consumed across all the geo-political zones and socioeconomic classes in Nigeria. Only about 57% of the 6.7 million metric tonnes of rice consumed in Nigeria annually is locally produced leading to a supply deficit of about 3 million metric tonnes.

    Meal of rice has always been popular but with the Christmas and New year celebrations, it has become a must have despite the continuous escalating prices. It is usually the main menu in every party. It is versatile, virtually everyone enjoys it, the ingredients to make it a tasty dish is easily accessible, one does not need a Doctorate degree to master the art of cooking it. It is easily handled and preserved.

    As the price continues to go up, some brands have come out with smaller rice packs to make it accessible for people who like buying in bags but who cannot muster large sums of money for the 50kg or 25kg bags. For those who also may not like to buy loose rice from traders that measure in cups/buckets, the small packs are for them.

    Currently there are two major rice grains in the market, the long and short grain. Consumers often ask which one is better but the answer is that both are good depending on your taste.

    Previously the long Tai grains were in more demand and the price margin with the short Indian grain was wide. However as things became tougher a lot of people started demanding for short grain because it was cheaper. Now those people are seeing the good sides of the short grain and are not ready to go back to the long grains. Currently a 50kg bag of long grain is N100k while the short grain is N85k.

    We equally have good brands of locally grown rice which demand has equally gone up. The quality has tremendously improved over the years that you can eat the rice without biting sand or stones. 50kg of such rice in Lagos sell as high as about N80k but in states where they are produced it is far cheaper.

    Another area consumers have to be particularly careful is concerning brand names. If you are one of those that patronise different sellers and is fuzzy about brand names then you have to be extra careful. A visit to rice markets reveals tailors openly sewing rice bags with different names. What it means is that any rice grain can be bagged under any brand name. The only way to beat them is to stick to a trusted seller, that way, you will have better chances of getting the exact brand you want.

    To be sure that you are buying exactly 50kg bag of rice, insist that the Seller measure the rice out for you. Genuine paint buckets will measure 12 full buckets of rice while a D’rica cup will give you 64 cups. To save time, insist they use paint buckets and keep alert, do not allow them to distract you.

    If other brands can follow the footsteps of the ‘Big Bull’ rice now, the issue of all that has been mentioned above and counterfeiting in the industry will be curtailed. The local rice brand introduced a holographic seal on its packaging to authenticate its products and provide consumers with peace of mind.

  • Time to prepare for the rice revolution

    Time to prepare for the rice revolution

    • By Abdu Abdullahi

    Sir: The national treasurer of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria ( RIFAN), Sadiq Daware has provided a diagnostic basis for the inevitable rice revolution in Nigeria with his estimation of over 12 million rice farmers cultivating an average of 0.5 hectare for two or three farming cycles annually, with an average output of four metric tonnes per hectare.

    To go beyond this impressive statistics, the revolutionary side is converting the figures to improvements in outputs, mass participation, sophisticated innovations, and massive investments by both the government and private sector for Nigeria’s economic development.

    We should draw inspiration from China, India and Indonesia, the largest producers of rice in the world. We ought to learn how the rice revolution tremendously impacted on these countries with amazing performance in rice production. This has made rice to be one of the most important staple crops in Asia and Africa. In Nigeria, for instance, rice is consumed across all geo-political zones and socioeconomic classes.

    However, only about 57% of the 6.7 million metric tonnes of rice consumed annually is locally produced, leading to a supply deficit of about three million metric tonnes. Nevertheless, the rice market is expected to show a volume growth of 8.8% growth in 2025.

    As we battle with economic conundrum related to oil, the need for economic diversification is long overdue and severally advocated, only to end at the periphery of endless discussion without any tangible outcomes. We are endowed with the fertile land for intensive and extensive agricultural activities. The northern Nigeria in particular serves as a potential zone for the rice revolution.

    Our rice revolution can make its debut in the effective management of land fertility, vastness, capital and labour, which can be harnessed to enhance our food security and improve the scope of the economy.

    The rice revolution can take different approaches and dimensions. But a particular and result-oriented scheme of rice farming that creates large scale production is the System of Rice Intensification (SRI), an approach developed by Fr. Henri de Laulanie in Madagascar in 1983.

    The SRI is evidence based, doubling yields. A small holder farmer in northern India, Sumat Kumar, used SRI to produce 22.4 tonnes of rice from a single hectare in 2012, breaking the world record. When SRI is adopted as a revolutionary strategy for rice production, it takes into consideration, the local conditions and requirements based on four interacting principles: early, quick and healthy plant establishment; reduced plant density; improved soil conditions through enrichment with organic matter; reduced and controlled water application.

    The SRI methods have been used in 47 countries and the overall results are impressive, 40% increase in yields, 40% reduction in cost, 23% reduction in water use, 68% increase in household incomes. Therefore, the proper application of the SRI provides a farming template for the success of the rice revolution in Nigeria.

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    Undoubtedly, the rice revolution can create employment opportunities, increase production and consumption, reduce the level of poverty, ensure food security and save Nigeria foreign exchange.

    Interestingly, the rice revolution which began in tropical Asia (i.e. South and Southeast Asia) more than a half-century ago had resulted in dramatic increase in rice production in 1970s and 1980s.

    For us in Nigeria, it is time to transcend the failed ‘Operation Feed the Nation’ and the ‘Green Revolution’. It is time for the authentic revolution to feed the nation at affordable prices.

    Of course, we know of big challenges confronting our efforts in rice production such as the change in climate, resource scarcity, exerting pressure on our capacity. Nevertheless, collaboration between the federal and state governments can serve as a panacea to food insecurity and climate change affecting rice production.

    The rice revolution is a deep temptation which should not be allowed to collapse. When actualised, we would be proud to be counted as one of the leading countries in rice production.

    •Abdu Abdullahi,

    Ringim, Jigawa State

  • Startup to sell rice at N45,000 in charity drive

    Startup to sell rice at N45,000 in charity drive

    Nigerian startup, Egoras has announced plans to launch its locally produced Ella Parboiled Rice in a move to provide succour to rising food prices.

    According to a statement, the launch of the project which will begin on October 12 is designed as a form of social impact, akin to a charity donation.

    Chief Executive Officer ,Egoras,  Ugoji Harry said at a significantly reduced price of N45,000 per 50kg bag, Nigerians will be getting some relief from the impact of food inflation.

    Harry emphasised the growing hardship that many Nigerians face in affording basic food supplies. “The current economic situation has pushed many families into extreme financial strain,” he said.

    “We understand that food is becoming unaffordable for many households, and as a company, we feel a responsibility to support our communities.”

     This rice, which is locally produced, would ordinarily sell for almost double the price, but we are offering it at N45,000 to make it accessible.”

    In recent months, the price of essential food items such as  rice has skyrocketed, making it difficult for the average Nigerian family to meet their daily nutritional needs.

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    Inflation, which is currently above 30 per cent, has led to sharp increases in the cost of staple foods, pushing many Nigerians further into poverty.

    With food prices at record highs, the launch of Ella Parboiled Rice comes at a crucial time for consumers who are unable to afford basic food staples.

    Harry highlighted that the discounted rice is not intended for resellers or distributors. “To prevent exploitation, we have set a limit of one bag per customer,” he explained.

    “We want to ensure that as many households as possible benefit from this initiative, and we don’t want people buying in bulk just to resell it at a profit. This is a way of giving back, and we’re trying to reach everyday Nigerians who need this the most.” In addition to providing affordable rice, the company has ensured convenient distribution with pickup points in Lagos, Abuja, and Port Harcourt.

    Customers can pre-order through egomart.org to secure their bags of rice, which will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

    Harry acknowledged the economic challenges but remained optimistic about the positive impact of the initiative. “We believe that this effort, while small, will provide some relief to those most in need. Every bag of rice sold at this price is helping a family get through these tough times,” he said.

  • Workers kick as FG suspends sale of subsidised rice

    Workers kick as FG suspends sale of subsidised rice

     A cross section of civil servants in Abuja have expressed concerns over the suspension of the sale of Federal Government’s subsidised rice at N40, 000 per bag of 50 kilograms.

    They made their feelings known after discovering the sudden disappearance of officials at different registration units for the purchase of the rice.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government promised to sell 30, 000 metric tonnes of 50 kilograms bags of milled rice to Nigerians at subsidised rate of N40, 000.

    While inaugurating the scheme, Mr Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security explained that the move by the government was part of its intervention and efforts to crash the prices of food items in Nigerian markets.

    NAN also reports that the sale commenced and lasted for over a week, before it was put on hold without notice, an action, workers that were yet to benefit from, decried.

    Speaking with NAN, Mrs Mary Nwachukwu, said she was surprised and disturbed when she got to the point of payment at the federal secretariat and found out the officials were not on duty.

    `I was encouraged to come to the registration unit at the secretariat, only for me to be told that the whole thing has been suspended.

    “Nobody knows what may happen next and if the scheme will still continue,’’ she asked.

    Mrs Kudirat Muktah, another civil servant who said she experienced delay in accessing the rice at the initial stage, frowned at the suspension order

    “I was here for two days to get my name registered, but because of the huge crowd, I decided to wait until it eases off, only to be told now that the exercise has been suspended.

    Read Also: Rice farmers face hard time over rising costs

    “What I heard from the grapevine was that the suspension was as a result of the rowdiness and chaos at the registration and payment point.

    “If they can adopt a better method of access to the rice, it will be better for us,’’ she said.

    Mr Sylvester Edwards, equally expressed disappointment at the news of the suspension of the sale of the rice, even after he had struggled for two days to get his name written down.

    “My brother, I spent two days here before I could register my name, waiting to be called for the rice, but now I am hearing another story.

    “Although, we heard that the rice will be accessed through another method, but we cannot trust this government.

    “The palliative rice will, to some extent ease the burden of hunger, so, it is important for the government to bring it back,’’ he said.

    Meanwhile, finding by NAN confirmed that there was a new arrangement on ground for the purchase of the rice, to end the cumbersome process.

    An authoritative source in the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, who pleaded anonymity, said it was not the office that coordinated the scheme as speculated.

    The source said that the palliative rice was being handled by the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA) after it was inaugurated by the minister.

    On the suspension of the sale, the source said that the registration of beneficiaries was ordered to be stopped due to the rowdiness, noise and chaos within the HOS premises.

    “People could no longer attend to work in their offices as a result of this exercise. Therefore, we have to suspend it.

    “We also read the report by your agency about people groaning and facing difficulty in accessing the government’s 50Kg bag of rice at N40,000.

    The plan on ground is to decentralise the purchase by involving ministries and the agencies under them. The core civil servant will register in their ministries while those in the agencies will register with their parent ministries,’’ the source said.

    The source, advised officials at MDAs to liaise with their mother ministries to get details of the new payment and distribution method of the palliative rice.

    (NAN) 

  • Govt rolls out sale of 30,000mt of rice for N40,000

    Govt rolls out sale of 30,000mt of rice for N40,000

    • Customs explains delay in import duty waiver policy

    To cushion the effects of rising food prices, the Federal Government yesterday kicked  off  the sale of 30,000 metric tons of milled rice at a subsidised rate of N40,000 per 50kg  bag.

    The initiative, spearheaded by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, is targeted at civil servants and other categories of Nigerians.

    The sale follows previous efforts by the administration, including the release of 42,000 metric tons of assorted food commodities to vulnerable groups.

    The government has emphasised that these measures are also aimed at improving food security across the nation.

    At the kick-off ceremony in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari,  hailed the President’s commitment to ensuring that no Nigerian goes to bed hungry.

    “This food intervention is timely, given the current economic challenges facing the country.

     “We are dealing with global disruptions in food chains, and Nigeria has not been immune to the challenges”, he said.

     To ensure fairness and transparency, Kyari said the government has put in place several checks, including the “one man, one 50kg bag” policy and verification procedures through the National Identification Number (NIN) and phone numbers.

    These measures, he said, are designed to prevent multiple purchases and ensure that the rice reaches the intended beneficiaries.

    He however urged citizens to cooperate with the agencies overseeing the sales process and assured Nigerians that the initiative would help reduce the price of rice and other food substitutes.

    “Let us work together to ensure that the dream of the Administration to upheld the fundamental right to food for all Nigerians is achieved.

    “It is expected that with the injection 30,000MT, with the allocation of 1, 000 trucks per state,  it will not only crash the price of rice but also other closer  food  substitutes and alternatives.

    “The Federal Government being aware of the potential challenges associated with the sale of an important staple such as rice, at this critical period has deployed a multi-disciplinary machinery of government, as well put  in place certain processes and conditions to ensure the transparency, wider reach and success of this programme”, Kyari added.

    On the procedure to access the rice, the Director of Food and Strategic Reserve at the Ministry,   Haruna  Abutu,an engineer, outlined a transparent and simplified procedure for rice distribution across the country.

    Abutu emphasised that the distribution process will ensure that each eligible person can receive one bag of rice in an orderly manner.

    To qualify, he said individuals must possess a National Identification Number (NIN), while those in public and civil service must also be registered on the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) platform.

    At the point of sale, he said buyers will be required to provide their NIN, which will be verified through a specially developed platform. Once verified, payments are made electronically via ATM cards, linking the payment directly to the sales operation.

    A receipt and unique code will be issued upon successful payment. The code, along with a treasury receipt, will indicate the specific time and location for rice collection.

     Abutu assured the people  that multiple points of sale would be established nationwide, preventing overcrowding and ensuring a smooth process for all.

    He said: “We have decided to make everything in a transparent manner, for you to qualify to earn one person, one bag, you must have a NIN and those of us in the public and civil service sector, we are all registered on Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS)  platform.

    “These are the critical criteria, once you have any of this, at the point of sale, you have state operators, if you approach them, they will ask of the NIN, once it’s given, they will log into the system, because already, we have a platform that has been created or a model that has been developed, with the NIN, all the information concerning the buyer will come out.

    “To proceed to payment, it’s electronically done using ATM card, once the payment is made, that same payment  is linked to the initial sales operation and it will pop up that you have paid and at that point in time, receipt will be issued and a code number will be given to the person, with that code number you will proceed to where you will be issued with treasury receipt to  show that you have paid.

    “At that point in time, that print out will indicate point and time of collection, we will have many points of sale . This will eliminate any form of stampede and this will go round the country.

     Customs explains delay in import duty waiver policy

    The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has explained why it has not begun the implementation of import duty waiver on maize, husked brown rice and wheat.

    NCS Spokesman Abdullahi Maiwada said the list of beneficiaries was yet to come from the Ministry of Finance.

    The Federal Government had, as parts of the Presidential Accelerated and Stabilisation Advancement Plan, directed  the Nigeria Customs Services (NCS) to give a 150-day duty-free window to allow the importation of maize, husked brown rice and wheat, as part of measures to combat rising food inflation across the country.

    Following this directive, the NCS  last month announced that the guidelines for the suspension of Customs duty and taxes on imported food items were to begin a week after..

    Maiwada spoke yesterday while fielding questions from reporters  at a joint  news conference of security agencies, organised by the Strategic Communications Inter-agency Policy Committee Office of the National Security Adviser, in Abuja.

    He said: “The issue of food security. You made mention of the policy that was announced by Mr. President and we have issued a statement on the guidelines on how to benefit from that policy. Well, I would like to discuss in such a way that the common man would understand how these things work.

    “People think that me and you can just go and import rice. No, that is not what the policy is all about. We have policy issues that have a long-term effect. We have the medium-term and we have the short-term effects.

    “So, while formulating policies that are related that have a short-term effect, we have to do it in such a way that it will not have adverse effects on long-term policy issues. Our responsibilities as an agency of government, Nigeria Customs Service, is to implement government policies.

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    “That’s why the statement we issued is based on the guideline issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance. They have issued a guideline on how to achieve, what are the conditions, and what are the requirements for you to benefit from that zero import duty.

    “We have three lines, six lines of tariff  with the HS code, harmonized system code, with initially a duty of 35% duty and leave you some of the items and they have all been waived.

    “However, the policy stated clearly that you must be a miller, you must be a taxpayer, you must have been into operations for a certain number of years and there will be a quota that will be issued by the Federal Ministry of Finance.

    “The list of those who benefit from those exemptions will come from the Ministry of Finance and our role as an agency of government is to implement the directives of the government. So we are policy implementers, not formulators.

    “By the time we get lists, within the twinkle of an eye, we are going to implement those directives from the Federal Ministry of Finance.”

  • 436 groups benefit as Arewa Youth Forum distributes 2,400 bags of FG rice in Kaduna

    436 groups benefit as Arewa Youth Forum distributes 2,400 bags of FG rice in Kaduna

    Two truckload of rice provided by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led Federal Government of Nigeria were distributed to 436 groups in Kaduna.

    The rice, a total of 2,400 bags were distributed by the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), supervised by its executive and chairman board of trustees.

    In an interview with newsmen who monitored the distribution, Chairman Board of Trustees (BoT) of AYF, Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu explained that the trucks of rice were delivered to the forum late Tuesday night and without wasting any time, they immediately distributed them.

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    “These are palliatives from the Federal Government. These came from the Federal Ministry of Finance to cushion the hardship Nigerians are facing.

    “It is a demonstration of the commitment of the federal government in cushioning the hardship Nigerians are facing,” he said.

    Also speaking, President of AYF, Alhaji Mohammed Ahmed Zagi said that the bags of rice are being distributed to reach the grassroots.

    “Unlike some states like Gombe that said they are yet to receive the Federal Government palliatives, we have received this in Kaduna and we are currently distributing to 436 groups, ensuring it reaches those at the grassroots.