Rice farmers across Nigeria have raised a serious alarm over what they describe as the collapse of the country’s rice industry. They blame the shutdown of local rice mills, job losses, and dwindling production on the influx of cheap imported rice, rising insecurity, and lack of consistent government support.
In a statement released on Sunday, the Chairman of the Competitive African Rice Forum Nigeria, Mr. Peter Dama, painted a bleak picture of the current state of rice farming and processing in the country. He said many rice mills have been forced to shut down, leading to mass retrenchment of workers.
“Our mills have been shut down. We have retrenched workers. Is this the future for us in this country?” Dama asked. He reminded Nigerians of a time when local rice production reached record highs, with output peaking at around eight million metric tonnes, which was almost enough to meet national demand.
However, things have taken a sharp turn in recent years. Dama blamed the collapse on increased insecurity across farming areas, particularly the rise in banditry and kidnappings, which have made agricultural activities difficult for farmers.
“It was after the rise in banditry and kidnapping that farming became challenging, and production suffered,” he said.
He also responded to critics who questioned the authenticity of the rice pyramids showcased across the country, calling such claims false.
“The pyramids were exhibited in Abuja and other states as part of zonal displays. Despite some media claims that these were fake structures and that paddy rice was unavailable, the truth is that paddy was produced, distributed, milled, and payments made,” Dama said.
Dama defended genuine rice farmers who received government assistance under various programmes, stating that most of them used the funds properly for actual rice farming, even if a few so-called “political rice farmers” existed.
He explained that although Nigeria’s consumption stood at 8.5 million metric tonnes annually, at one point, production hit 8 million tonnes—leaving just a shortfall of about 500,000 tonnes to reach full self-sufficiency. But today, production has dropped significantly, with output now falling back to around 5.3 million tonnes.
Dama blamed this regression not only on insecurity but also on the flooding of Nigerian markets with cheaper imported rice. He said imported rice enters the country at extremely low prices due to smuggling, tax evasion, and foreign subsidies.
“Imported rice is cheaper because importers evade taxes and receive subsidies. They bring rice into Nigeria at prices as low as $10 to $20 per tonne,” he noted, adding that this puts local rice at a serious disadvantage.
With the 2027 general elections approaching, Dama warned that the continuing neglect of the agricultural sector, especially rice production, could lead to deeper political and security problems. He cautioned that job losses, declining income in rural areas, and a lack of opportunities for young people could spark unrest, drive rural-urban migration, and increase pressure on already crowded cities.
“The loss of jobs, income, and opportunities for rural youth may trigger unrest in agricultural regions, increase rural-urban migration, strain cities, and foster disillusionment with public policy, threatening national unity,” the statement warned.
To save the industry, Dama called on the Federal Government to take urgent action. His recommendations include stopping all selective import waivers on rice and other food commodities, strengthening border controls to stop illegal imports, and reaffirming rice as a protected strategic crop.
“End selective import waivers on rice and related food commodities. All trade incentives should be transparent, time-bound, and equitable,” he urged.
Dama also proposed the creation of a national rice buffer stock system to help stabilise prices during harvest periods. He emphasised the need for more government support for irrigation systems to allow farmers to grow rice all year round, provision of affordable farm inputs, mechanised farming, and low-interest loans for farmers.
“Support paddy production through irrigation to enable double cropping cycles, supply affordable inputs, mechanise farming, and provide accessible low-interest agricultural financing,” he said.
Farmers across the country are now waiting to see if the government will respond to their calls and rescue a once-promising sector now in danger of collapse
