Abuja – The recent drop in rice prices, which should’ve been a welcome relief for consumers, has sent shockwaves of worry among local rice farmers in Nigeria. They are now crying out for help, saying the influx of cheap imports is threatening their very livelihoods.

Dr Muda Yusuf, Executive Director of the Centre for Promotion of Private Enterprises (CPPE), has sounded the alarm, urging the government to intervene and ensure local producers aren’t left to suffer. “The drop in price of rice should be a platform for the government to engage with local producers… instead of focusing on price reduction, balance it up with incentives for farmers,” he told newsmen.

Farmers are indeed not smiling. With foreign rice flooding the markets, they’re facing heavy losses and some are considering abandoning their rice fields for other ventures. They’re particularly unhappy about the high prices of inputs, which they want the government to address.

“The government has a responsibility to ensure those producing locally don’t suffer because of the drop in price. It’s something to worry about,” Dr Yusuf emphasized. He suggested the government could introduce a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) to support farmers, like many other countries do.

Sandra Victor-Gwafan, CEO of DeBranch Farmers Limited, echoed these concerns: “If we keep importing rice, where do you want farmers to take their produce? They’re processing rice at a loss now. The cost of inputs is ridiculous and out of farmers’ reach.”

Farmers are scared of government policies and don’t know what to do with their paddy rice. “They don’t want to sell at a loss, but they’re also scared of keeping it, not knowing the government’s plans,” Victor-Gwafan added.

The government needs to balance the interests of consumers and farmers. As Dr Yusuf put it, “It’s a delicate balance… the government should engage farmers and address their concerns so they can continue to get good returns on their investment.”