Farmers not opposed to waivers on imported food – AFAN

Farmers in the country said they were not opposed to the suspension of duties and taxes on imported food items over some period of time.

On July 10 the Federal Government approved a 150-day duty-free window to allow the importation of maize, husked brown rice, and wheat as part of measures to combat rising food inflation across the country.

The initiative was based on the implementation of the Presidential Accelerated and Stabilisation Advancement Plan.

On August 6, the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, said guidelines for the suspension of customs duty and taxes on imported food items would commence the following week.

He added that the implementation of the policy would commence once the guidelines are ready.

But the policy appeared to have kick-started.

The Ministry of Finance had in a letter dated August 8 directed the Nigeria Customs Service to commence the implementation of the policy.

Also, a letter dated August 14, 2024, and signed by the Deputy Comptroller-General, C.K Niagwan, ordered personnel of the service to commence enforcement measures.

She noted that the food commodities include maize, husked brown rice, wheat, grain beans, and millet, adding that the policy was restricted to the items listed and was effective from July 15 to December 31, 2024.

The letter read, “I am directed to forward herewith a copy of the Federal Ministry of Finance letter, confirming His Excellency, Mr President’s approval for the implementation of zero per cent duty rate and Value Added Tax exemption on some basic food items.

“You are to note the following, ‘the policy is restricted to the items listed in the letter and it is effective July 15, 24 until December 31, 2024.

“The importation of these items shall be limited to investors with milling capacity and a verifiable Backward Integration Programme for some of the items.”

 However, speaking in an interview with Sunday PUNCH on Friday, the National President of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, Kabir Ibrahim, said farmers were happy with the waiver.

Ibrahim expressed hope that prices of food and feed would reduce with the implementation of the policy.

He said, “Some of the companies participating are our members. So, we are not opposed to the policy.

“We are happy with the situation and feel that there is a ray of hope that prices of food items, including animal feed, will come down, thereby enabling poultry, dairy, as well as those doing small ruminants and consumers to have some respite.”