Maize Association of Nigeria (MAAN) has called on the Federal Government to ban the importation of maize into the country to encourage local production.
Alhaji Bello Abubakar, the National President of the association, made the call while addressing newsmen in Abuja on Sunday.
Abubakar was reacting to a recent publication by the National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) on a request by Grand Cereals Limited to import maize into the country.
He said the move was `unpatriotic’ and targeted at thwarting the efforts of farmers and the government toward achieving self-sufficiency in maize production.
According to him, farmers produce enough and better maize to feed the country than what is being imported.
“Our last year’s production was 15 million tonnes and this year, we produced 20 million tonnes of maize and the required quantity for all maize processors in Nigeria is about eight million tonnes.
“Government intervention in the agricultural sector has put in place the Anchor Borrowers Programme (ABP) to encourage local production of agricultural commodities including maize.
“MAAN is executing the ABP in 19 states which has empowered about 100,000 on and off farm employment.
“This contribution of MAAN, if complemented by other large scale maize grain users, will create more than one million on and off farm employment in the maize value chain.
“Therefore, we request that the importation of maize grain in any form is considered counter-productive to agricultural development in Nigeria and should be discouraged in its entirety,’’ he said.
On armyworm devastation of maize farms, Abubakar said that the Federal Government, in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), had put in place measures to address the disease.
“Members of MAAN were trained and pesticides, fertiliser, seeds were given to them by the Federal Government and FAO to manage the pest.
“ This year, there is no infestation of armyworm like last year,’’ he said.
He however, appealed to companies who involved in maize importation to provide their preferred maize seedlings to local farmers to grow, to encourage production of improved varieties.
Mr Rufus Ebegba, the Director General of NBMA, said the agency had received a request by Grand Cereals Limited to import maize into the country.
Ebegba, however, disclosed that the permit had not been granted for the maize import.
“It is true but the permit has not been granted,’’ he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that MAAN was established to provide research on maize production, quality input to farmers, coordinate between farmers and the government.
MAAN is made up of maize scientists and researchers, input suppliers, service providers, farmers, marketers, maize suppliers and processors.
The association, which has its presence in the 36 states and FCT, has over 10 million registered farmers and members.

https://www.agricinfo.com/2018/11/farmers-want-fg-to-ban-maize-importation.html

Okk

NOISE!
Rice was banned yet we still among 3 highest importers.

With a projected 13 per cent jump next year to 3.4 million metric tons, Nigeria will emerge the world’s second-biggest rice importer after China, reveals a US Department of Agriculture report.

“China and Nigeria are projected to remain the largest rice importing countries in 2019, followed by the EU, Cote d’Ivoire, and Iran,” the USDA said in its latest Rice Outlook released Tuesday.

“Nigeria and Egypt are projected to account for the bulk of the 2019 import increase,” reports Bloomberg.

Source:
https://punchng.com/nigeria-to-emerge-worlds-second-largest-rice-importer-in-2019-us-agency/

Once we can meet the production quota why not

When Nigeria still imports toothpicks and blades?

Sad

I doubt if we import corn though but placing a ban on it will do nothing about it. the one placed on rice has proven that.

NO WAY!!!

so they can monopolize the market and make life difficult for consumers just like rice farmers did?

NO WAY!!!

they should start by calling for investment in processed maize products first.

I love this. Must we import everything?
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driand:
NO WAY!!!

so they can monopolize the market and make life difficult for consumers just like rice farmers did?

NO WAY!!!

Exactly !

If you can think it, you can achieve it.

The one we called foreign corn

Good move but u on read of some of this association on papers or maybe they mostly operate in the North

good move

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adeniyi3971:
When Nigeria still imports toothpicks and blades?

Importation is majorly supposed to cushion existing markets. When there are none, nobody looks at the "cushioning" effect anymore. They make it the real deal. Save for some countries where it is outrightly looked into and drastic steps are taken by the economy minister to create viable alternatives.

So we import maize too... This is ridiculous.

SirHouloo:
I doubt if we import corn though but placing a ban on it will do nothing about it. the one placed on rice has proven that.

Please don't doubt. According to a friend whose company imports maize, it is always sold out before it gets to Apapa port. That the company don't have a marketing manager/team for maize like other products which they sell and it more profitable than rice.

Hmmm, so maize get association for naija?
wetin person no go see.


You can't go wrong buying laptop from me! more information on signature.

People that placed the ban on rice, yet they are the highest eaters.

I'm wondering if Oga Bubu, senators, governors,... do eat Nigeria home grown rice

If you know, you know.

Show me a farmer that vot Buhari. They all believe we're going higher.. What we want now is the NEXT LEVEL.

At default, maize and other crops are not suppose to be imported.

So, nigeria dey import rice self? Chai God punish PDP So, nigeria dey import rice self? Chai God punish PDP

Whiles you guys are pushing your country towards protectionism you are trying to offload your pestlike population onto Ghana.

You are invading Ghana like pests and opening shops everywhere and bringing along your violent and aggressive and lawlessness.

You will not even allow certain products to be exported from Ghana to Nigeria and yet you think Nigerians should be allowed to invade and open shops in the Ghanaian retail industry which by law is reserved for Ghanaians.

Now you want more protectionism.

This regional integration shit is going to get nasty before it gets any better.

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