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Tag: rice

  • Customs generates N1.9bn in 9months, seizes 3, 278 bags of rice, 55 vehicles

    The Niger Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service, says it generated N1.9 billion from January to September.

    The Area Controller, Mr Benjamin Binga, told newsmen on Tuesday in Minna that the command also seized 3, 278 bags of rice and 55 vehicles with Duty Paid Value of N52.6 million and 51.6 million respectively during the period.

    According to him, the command, made up of Niger, Kogi and Kwara states, will meet its 2017 revenue target of N2.8 billion by the end of the year.

    The controller stressed that customs personnel would continue to mount surveillance and adopt measures to make smuggling impossible in the area.

    “The command has deployed competent officers to manage all identified illegal routes used by smugglers to bring in unwholesome goods into the country,” Binga said.

    He solicited for the support of community leaders in the three states to assist customs field officers with vital information on the movement of smugglers.

     

    NAN

  • Nigeria will attain self-sufficiency in rice production by year end – FG

    The Federal Government has assured Nigerians that the nation will be self-sufficient in rice production by the end of 2017.

    This was revealed on Monday by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh.

    Ogbeh gave this assurance at the First International Cocoa Summit, organised by the Federal Ministry of Trade and Investment in collaboration with Cocoa Farmers Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Abuja.

    He noted that rice production had improved tremendously across the country as a result of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Anchor Borrowers’ Programme (ABP).

    Ogbeh said the programme had supported farmers through inputs distribution and loans to boost rice production across the country.

    According to him, rice is one major staple food that almost every Nigerian citizen consumes.

    He said that the move was in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s agenda to diversify the economy through the agriculture sector.

    The minister, however, advised rice farmers to reduce the price of a tonne of paddy from N150, 000 to N120, 000 to make it affordable for millers and discourage smuggling.

    “By the end of this year, we can tell you that we are self-sufficient in rice.

    He expressed regrets on the increasing number of malnourished children across the country.

    On cocoa, Ogbeh said the Federal Government, through his ministry, would encourage land clearing, fertiliser application through extension workers to promote the production.

    “We are planning a re-launch of cocoa to draw national attention to its strategic importance but the big thing is to help processors at home and increase consumption.

    “Everything is not about export, nowadays, the export market is choked and therefore, forcing prices down while farmers are losing money.

    “We will help with land clearing, fertiliser improvement, especially the inclusion of boron to revive old cocoa plantation and encourage new ones,’’ he said. (NAN)

  • FG begins move to reduce price of rice

    Federal Government is working toward reducing the price of fertiliser to cut down the price of locally produced rice.

    The minister, who said this on Wednesday when he featured on a television current affairs programme on the 2017 Budget in Abuja, said that the Federal Government was collaborating with the Morocco Government in this regard.

    “The imported rice is coming in; most of them are subsidized and undercutting the locally produce rice, which has higher quality.

    “The problem is bringing down the price of our rice; we are trying to support rice production by bringing down the price of fertiliser because the price of inputs determines the price of output.

    “We are trying to see how we can bring down the prices of farm inputs so as to cut down the prices of local rice in the country.

    “We have an agreement with Morocco to import phosphate from the country to blend and support fertiliser production. The Federal Government is working toward strengthening all the value chains to boost productivity and improve yield.

    “The whole value-chain, first of all, you have to start from the seed. One of the things that the Federal Government is doing is to support the development of seeds because high-quality seeds will engender improved production.

    “We are also working on fertiliser; what the Federal Ministry of Agriculture has done is undertaking soil analyses of all soil in the 36 states.

    “And they have been able to ascertain the blend of fertiliser that is most suitable for a particular kind of soil.

    “The farmers will now be advised on what type of fertiliser to use, so that they won’t apply fertiliser without specifications on crops as this often leads to low yield. So, we have that as part of the value chain.

    “Then, we are giving support in terms of evacuating farm produce to the market by constructing and maintaining rural roads. Most of the crops get spoilt as a result of not evacuating them to market in good time.

    “We are working on every stage of all the chain. The Federal Government is working with the state governments to achieve the objectives of this mission,’’ he said.

    Besides, Udoma said that the Federal Government was assisting farmers in the area of soft loans so as to enable them to increase their production and aid the nation’s efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in food production.

    “In addition, the Anchor Borrowers Programme of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) gives loans to farmers at low, single-digit interest rate. In this manner, the government is intervening in various links of the chain to support agricultural production,’’ he said.

    (NAN)

  • We are importing poison, not rice, Gov. Bagudu warns

    Gov. Abubakar Bagudu, the Chairman, Presidential Taskforce on Rice and Wheat Production, has condemned the continuous importation of rice into the country, describing it as importation of poison.

    Bagudu, who is also the governor of Kebbi, told journalists on Sunday in Birnin-Kebbi that the imported rice, auctioned by different countries, was no longer good for human consumption.

    The chairman, who expressed regret over citizens’ patronage of foreign rice, said imported rice usually contained preservatives, which are poisonous.

    He disclosed that there were three major importers of rice into the country who specialised in importing very cheap, auctioned rice into the country.

    The governor said that Thailand in April 2017, auctioned 1.62 million tonnes of rice at about $140 per tonne whereas the market price of it was $700 per tonne.

    “Countries, particularly Thailand, India, China and Vietnam, buy a lot of paddy from their farmers and keep in storage sometimes, as long as nine years so that by so doing, they are supporting their farmers.

    “A country like Thailand, for example, may have eight million tonnes of rice in storage; so occasionally, they will auction the ones that are almost going bad that is, the one that is not fit for human consumption.

    “They sell the paddy as low as 20 per cent less than the international market price.

    “Those that import rice into Nigeria will go and buy the paddy and clean them up.

    “Because they do not buy rice at the international price, our local farmers who are offering rice for $500 will not be competitive.

    “If that importer is to buy fresh rice, he cannot bring it into Nigeria below $700 per tonne.

    “This is the biggest obstacle to our rice efforts because consumers say local rice is expensive; it is not expensive because we are not comparing it with equivalent rice elsewhere,” the chairman explained.

    The governor said that out of the 600 million tonnes of rice produced in the world, Nigeria produced about six million tonnes which represented one per cent of the production.

    Bagudu said that rice could grow in the 36 states of the federation and called on stakeholders and citizens to come together to significantly advance rice production.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, on June 7, established a National Rice and Wheat Task Force to set up targets that will yield comprehensible and self-evident results in rice and wheat production.

    At the inauguration of the task force, Osinbajo said the Federal Government was trying to evolve a strategy for the economy, for employment and for feeding the people.

    Other members of the Task Force are Gov. Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano and his Ebonyi counterpart, David Umahi.

    Others are the Minister of State for Agriculture, Sen. Lokpobiri Heineken, the President of Rice Farmers Association, Mr Aminu Goronyo and the President, Wheat Farmers Association, Alhaji Salim Muhammad.

  • Beware! Killer rice now flood Nigerian markets – Governors’ Forum

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has alerted Nigerians to be mindful of their consumption of imported rice as some them (the rice) now contains poisonous substances that are dangerous to human health.

    The governors, while describing the rice as substandard and harmful, called on the Nigeria Customs Service to take urgent measures to curb the situation.

    A statement by NGF’s Head, Media and Public Affairs, Abulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, said this concern was contained in a communiqué released after the forum’s last meeting in Abuja.

    According to the governors, a large consignment of rice still finding its way into the Nigerian market was imported since 2014 when the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration issued a liberal import licence regime to those who were able to bring substantial quantity of rice into the country using a waiver from the presidency at the time.

    “Governors expressed concern that Nigerians were either falling sick or losing their lives to the consumption of this substandard product even though some states have commenced elaborate efforts to produce rice in commercial quantity with a view to halting the nation’s over-reliance on staples that can be produced locally.

    “Most governors of the states that have already embraced the back to land mantra of this administration frowned at the situation where Nigerians snubbed the locally produced commodity in preference for foreign ones which were most of the time stale, contaminated or even fake,” the statement said.

    The Nigeria Customs Service was invited to shed light on the matter in order to proffer solution to the problem.

    Briefing the Forum, the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali who was represented by Deputy Comptroller General, Dangaladima Aminu, said though there was an upsurge in the smuggling of rice through the nations land borders, there had been no alteration to the prohibition on the importation of rice through land borders. He claimed that any quantity of rice which found its way into Nigeria through land routes was smuggled.

    He claimed that the smugglers were aided by border communities who alternated between motorcycles, canoes and rafts to smuggle contraband rice into the country.

    “It may interest you to note that a motorcycle can make up to 30 trips with six 50kg bags of rice per night depending on the distance. And when the border communities are not smuggling the produce themselves, they are aiding or providing cover for smugglers.”

    Dangaladima added that rice merchants had recorded huge losses as a result of seizures by the customs.

    He informed the governors that the Customs “takes the issue of smuggling of rice seriously, having identified the danger posed by it to the economic well-being and health hazards it constitutes to the Nigerian people.”

  • Killer rice all over Nigerian market – Governors’ Forum

    Killer rice all over Nigerian market – Governors’ Forum

    The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has expressed concerns over the quality of rice being imported and consumed by Nigerians.

    The governors, while describing it as substandard, harmful, called on the Nigeria Customs Service to take urgent measures to curb the situation.

    A statement by NGF’s Head, Media and Public Affairs, Abulrazaque Bello-Barkindo, said this concern was contained in a communiqué released after the forum’s last meeting in Abuja.

    According to governors, a large consignment of rice still finding its way into the Nigerian market was imported since 2014 when the Goodluck Jonathan’s administration issued a liberal import licence regime to those who were able to bring substantial quantity of rice into the country using a waiver from the presidency at the time.

    “Governors expressed concern that Nigerians were either falling sick or losing their lives to the consumption of this substandard produce even though some states have commenced elaborate efforts to produce rice in commercial quantity with a view to halting the nation’s over-reliance on staples that can be produced locally.
    “Most governors of the states that have already embraced the back to land mantra of this administration frowned at the situation where Nigerians snubbed the locally produced commodity in preference for foreign ones which were most of the time stale, contaminated or even fake,” the statement said.

    The Nigeria Customs Service was invited to shed light on the matter in order to proffer solution to the problem.

    Briefing the Forum, the Comptroller General, Col. Hameed Ali who was represented by Deputy Comptroller General, Dangaladima Aminu, said though there was an upsurge in the smuggling of rice through the nations land borders, there had been no alteration to the prohibition on the importation of rice through land borders.

    He claimed that any quantity of rice which found its way into Nigeria through land routes was smuggled.
    He claimed that the smugglers were aided by border communities who alternated between motorcycles, canoes and rafts to smuggle contraband rice into the country.

    “It may interest you to note that a motorcycle can make up to 30 trips with six 50kg bags of rice per night depending on the distance. And when the border communities are not smuggling the produce themselves, they are aiding or providing cover for smugglers.”

    Dangaladima added that rice merchants had recorded huge losses as a result of seizures by the customs.

    Lawmakers ganged-up to kill South-East commission bill – Reps member, Onyema

    He informed the governors that the Customs “takes the issue of smuggling of rice seriously, having identified the danger posed by it to the economic well-being and health hazards it constitutes to the Nigerian people.”

  • NCS impounds 941 bags of rice worth N6.8m

    The Nigeria Customs Service, Western Marine Command, on Tuesday said its officers seized 941 bags of rice estimated at N6,830,791 being smuggled into the country.

    ImageFile: NCS impounds 941 bags of rice worth N6.8m
    NCS, Western impounds 941 bags of rice worth N6.8m

    The new Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Sarkin Kebbi, in Lagos said the seizure was barely a month after he assumed duty at the command.

    “As you are aware, I took over the helm of affairs in this command on Tuesday, 25th April, 2017.

    “My first official assignment was on the 27th April, 2017 where I led a team of inspectors from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture delegated by the Office of the National Security Adviser to inspect a vessel, MV TEAM TANGO, that was arrested.

    “The visit was embarked upon to take samples of cargo on board, PRILLED UREA, presumed to be used by terrorists to manufacture improvised explosive devices (IEDS).

    “The Western Marine Command is an enforcement unit and its main function is to protect the water-ways, fight insecurity and combat smuggling.

    “We have been able to make unprecedented seizures within 30 days in office across the South Western states and right up to Kebbi State in the Northern part of the country at different dates and times,” Kebbi said.

    The Customs controller said the achievement was borne out of the new approach to duty in the command by the officers and men.

    He said that the goal of the command was to ensure that the waterways were safe from unscrupulous businessmen and women, whose activities endanger national security.

    Kebbi said that realising the enormity of the task ahead, he intends to visit states, institutions and organisations within the command, in order to familiarise himself with the terrain and gather intelligence necessary for effective administration.

    “This commenced on Tuesday, 16th of May, 2017 in company of my principal officers to Badagry and Yekemeh Stations.

    “The tour extended to the paramount ruler of Badagry, Oba Akran of Badagry, as well as the Baale of Pashi, the head of Pashi community.

    “Both monarchs received us warmly and I expressed my gratitude to them for their fatherly love and care for the officers,’’ he said.

    Kebbi said that the task of nation building was a call to service, and therefore implored smugglers to change their business to legitimate ones.

    According to him, there will be no hiding place for them any longer.

  • Nigerian rice to compete with brands from India, China, others – Osinbajo

    Nigerian rice to compete with brands from India, China, others – Osinbajo

    The Federal Government has reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigerian farmers to produce rice that would compete with the ones produced from countries like India, China and Thailand.

    This assurance was given by Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo in Abuja on Wednesday during an interactive session with some middle level civil and public servants on the ease of doing business in the country.

    According to him, Nigerians would soon start seeing the manifestation of some of the reforms taken by the Federal Government in the agricultural sector as the country would soon start producing local rice.

    He said if Nigerians can consume what the country produces locally, poverty and unemployment would be easily tackled.

    He said the government was mindful of this development and would do everything within its powers to encourage local farmers to improve the output and quality of local price.

    Osinbajo said, “It is worrisome that locally produced rice is still expensive than imported rice from India, China and Thailand.

    “Rice produced in these countries, are subsidized by their respective governments making rice from the region cheap and affordable.”

    “By subsiding rice production for farmers, more jobs are created. We are planning to introduce some kinds of assistance to our farmers in due course. Our rice will have to compete with any rice in the world. We will hold meeting with the Ministry of Agriculture every day”, the Acting president said.

  • Just in: Price of rice falls by 7%

    Just in: Price of rice falls by 7%

    The National Bureau of Statistics said the average price of imported rice decreased by 7.22 per cent, as one kilogramme was sold for N250.30 in April from N418.71 in March.

    The NBS stated this in its“Selected Food Price watch data for April 2017” released on Tuesday in Abuja.

    It, however, stated that the average price of 1kg of rice (imported high quality sold loose) increased year-on-year by 29.98 percent in the month under review.

    According to the report, an average price of 1 dozen of Agric. eggs medium size increased year-on-year by 41.04 percent and decreased month-on-month by 1.71 per cent to N518.66 in April 2017 from N527.69 in March.

    “The average price of piece of Agric. eggs medium size (price of one) increased year-on-year by 28.74 percent and month-on-month by 5.21 per cent to N46.22 in April from N43.93 in March.

    It further stated that the average price of 1kg of tomato increased year-on-year by 15.32 percent and month-on-month by 6.36 per cent to N285.72 in April from N268.64 in March.

    Similarly, the average price of 1kg of yam tuber increased year-on-year by 42.45 percent and decreased month-on- month by 2.17 per cent to N250.30 in April from N255.86 in March.

    On the methodology of reporting the food prices, NBS stated that over 700 staff was sent to all the states of the federation for the field work and were supervised by experts.

    Prices were collected across all the 774 local governments across all states and the FCT from over 10,000 respondents, locations and analysed.

    NAN

  • Taraba can produce Nigeria’s annual rice demand – Gov Ishaku

    Taraba can produce Nigeria’s annual rice demand – Gov Ishaku

    Governor Darius Ishaku of Taraba on Monday said that the state had the potential to produce 10million tonnes of rice, the annual demand of the country, with adequate financing and availability of modern equipment.

    Ishaku said this in Ardo-kola at a stakeholders’ meeting of the PDP’s delegates representing Jalingo and Ardo-kola.

    He said areas like: Karim-lamido, Gassol, Ardo-kola, Lau, Ibi, Wukari, Takum, among others, had fertile lands suitable for growing large quantities of rice.

    The governor noted that lack of sufficient funds had undermined the capacity of the state’s rice farmers to produce at an optimum level.

    Ishaku, however, said the state government was determined to support farmers in the state with farm inputs and improved seeds to increase their productivity.

    He said that Dominion Farms, owned by a Kenyan investor in Gassol, had been given six months to commence buying of paddy rice from out-growers for processing.

    The governor announced that the state government had bought hybrid seeds of Bennie seeds, soya beans and cassava and it would soon distribute them to its farmers.

    “Recently, there is a high demand of bennie seeds in our markets; though, I do not know what they are doing with it. We have acquired its improved seed.

    “We have also acquired hybrid seeds of soya beans and of course, cassava, because I will soon revive our cassava processing plant.

    “When that is done, it will bring the total companies I revived to five out of the 25 companies that were in comatose when I took over,’’ Ishaku said.

    The governor said he was in Ardo-kola to thank the people for massively voting for him in 2015.

    “The best time to appreciate that support is now; since I have won all the post-election suits instituted by my opponents,’’ he said.

    Also speaking, the state PDP Chairman, Mr Victor Bala, noted that loyalty to party decisions was critical to the growth of party politics.

    Bala urged council area chapters of the party that could not garner adequate support for the party in 2015 election, to “sit up’’ as the 2019 general elections were approaching.

    “Politics is like an investment. If you invest a little, do not expect high dividends at the end of the day, ‘’ he said.

     

     

    NAN