Farmers Criticize Tinubu’s Import Policy Despite Food Price Drop

Nigerian farmers have raised serious concerns over the growing influx of imported rice and maize into local markets, saying the federal government’s policy is crippling domestic agriculture.

The criticism follows the recent drop in prices of food items, particularly rice and maize, which farmers attribute to a surge in imports. The Federal Government had, in July 2024, introduced a 150-day duty-free import window for staple foods including rice and maize to combat high food prices.

While the policy has led to a visible reduction in food costs nationwide—confirmed by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi—farmers say it has done more harm than good to local producers.

According to a Daily Post market survey:

A 50kg bag of local rice now sells for ₦65,000–₦68,000, while foreign rice is priced at ₦83,000.

A bag of maize goes for ₦35,000–₦37,000.

Farmers argue that the cheaper imported products have significantly reduced demand for home-grown grains, leading to dwindling profits and uncertainty for local