Farmers predict cheaper rice as Lagos slashes worth to N57,000

Some farmers’ associations in Lagos State have predicted an extra drop within the worth of rice forward of the yuletide, following Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s discount of Lagos rice costs.

The farmers spoke in separate interviews with the Information Company of Nigeria on Sunday in Lagos.

PidomNigeria On-line had reported that the Lagos State Governor lately slashed the worth of Lagos rice from N64,000 to N57,000 per bag.

The Vice Chairman of the All Farmers Affiliation Southwest, Lagos State chapter, Mr Sakin Agbayewa, counseled the state authorities for the strategic transfer.

Agbayewa mentioned the event would doubtless enhance competitors within the sector, additional lowering the worth of rice.

“The Lagos State Authorities pegging the worth of a bag of rice at N57,000 is an effective improvement.

“And hopefully, we wish to imagine that with this aggressive worth and competitors, possibly in a single week or two weeks, the worth of rice will additional drop.

“Presently, the worth of international rice is between N52,000 and N56,000, relying on the place you might be shopping for it.

“In case you are shopping for it very near the border, it comes at N52,000. In case you are shopping for it from the principle market, it sells between N54,000 and N55,000 per 50 kg bag; the additional value comes from transportation.

“At N57,000 per bag, customers are consuming high quality meals. From manufacturing to the milling vegetation, to processing, to the shelf, market, and client, you could be one yr,” Agbayewa mentioned.

He added that international imported rice, promoting between N52,000 and N56,000, might have been saved for over three to 5 years and even expired.

“So, if you wish to have a look at worth and high quality, I feel Lagos rice is sweet at N57,000. Once you purchase Lagos rice, you might be assured of meals security, dietary worth, and the whole lot it has to supply at that worth.

“It’s a good purchase. I would favor Lagos rice at N57,000 than purchase cheaper rice with decrease high quality,” he mentioned.

On his half, the Chairman of the Rice Farmers Affiliation of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, Mr Raphael Hunsa, additionally counseled the Lagos State Authorities for the initiative.

“The federal government is all the time on high by way of coverage selections that have an effect on the folks. And the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, dropping the worth of rice is a good transfer.

“If manufacturing is low, positively the demand will probably be excessive, and subsequently the worth will probably be excessive too. The Lagos State Authorities pegging a bag of rice at N57,000 this season is most useful to Nigerians.

“We, nonetheless, urge the federal government to proceed supporting rice farmers to extend our manufacturing. Subsequently, the worth of rice and different staples will proceed to drop.

“If we’ve extra rice farmers producing all yr spherical, positively the worth of rice will stay secure.

“This Christmas is now at our door, and everybody will have a good time nicely with this drop in worth,” Hunsa mentioned.

(NAN)