Jigawa State Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to review import tariff policies on wheat and rice, warning that unfavourable policies could undermine local production and expose Nigerian farmers to unfair competition.
Namadi made the appeal on Tuesday while delivering an address at the APC presidential campaign rally held at the Dutse Township Stadium, Jigawa State, during President Tinubu's official visit to the state.
The governor said although the Federal Government had supported farmers through subsidised agricultural machinery and improved access to quality farm inputs, there was a need to introduce policies that would encourage large-scale domestic production.
He expressed concern that import tariff policies, particularly on wheat and rice, could weaken incentives for local farmers if they were not carefully designed to protect domestic producers.
"We respectfully submit that incentives for large-scale local production may be weakened unless import tariff policies, particularly for wheat and rice, are carefully designed to protect our farmers from unfair competition," the governor said.
He therefore urged President Tinubu to review the policies to strengthen incentives for domestic agricultural production and safeguard the livelihoods of farmers.
According to him, increasing local production of essential food commodities, particularly wheat and rice, remains critical to achieving sustainable food security in the country.
Namadi stressed that supporting domestic farmers through favourable trade policies would complement existing government interventions in the agricultural sector and strengthen the country's capacity to produce enough food for its population.
The governor also acknowledged the Federal Government's agricultural support initiatives, particularly the provision of subsidised tractors and improved access to agricultural inputs.
He disclosed that Jigawa State had benefited from the Federal Government's Food Security Support Intervention through the procurement of 100 tractors at subsidised prices.
Namadi further said his administration had launched 400 tractors and other agricultural implements as part of efforts to expand farming activities and improve agricultural productivity across the state.
He noted that the agricultural interventions were part of the broader commitment of both the Federal Government's Renewed Hope Agenda and Jigawa State's 12-Point Agenda to boost productivity, improve livelihoods and promote sustainable economic growth.
The governor maintained that strengthening local food production, particularly wheat and rice, was essential to achieving lasting food security and reducing the country's vulnerability to external food supply pressures.
Namadi urges Tinubu to review wheat, rice import tariffs to protect Nigerian farmers