Korede Abdullah in Lagos
Nigeria has received a 32-ton shipment of rice from Thailand, offering temporary relief as the nation grapples with a worsening food crisis.
This shipment, the first of its kind in a decade, arrived in Lagos on Saturday, facilitated by DUCAT, a logistics company.
According to DUCAT, the rice export was made possible by Nigeria’s decision to implement a tariff moratorium on wheat, corn, rice, and other food crops last year.
“Nigeria has been working hard to find solutions to broaden and strengthen its food supply accessibility,” said Adrian Beciri, DUCAT’s Chief Executive Officer.
The government has been making efforts to combat soaring food inflation, which is rising at its fastest rate in three decades. With nearly half of the population living in extreme poverty, the government is working to ease the strain on its citizens.
The federal government announced a 180-day window to allow duty-free imports of wheat, corn, and other critical food crops.
Additionally, imported food will be subject to a set recommended retail price to control costs.
However, critics like Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, argue that Nigeria’s growing reliance on food imports undermines its agricultural policy and jeopardizes its economic stability.
The government’s approach to addressing the food crisis has been multifaceted, including measures to set a Guaranteed Minimum Price (GMP) for key commodities, boost production among smallholder farmers, and encourage the production of fortified foods.
Despite these efforts, the food crisis persists, and the government continues to seek solutions to ensure food security for its citizens.
