Business
Agro Producers Want Ban On Food Imports
The Association of Small Scale Agro-Producers in Nigeria (ASSAPIN), has called on the Federal Government to put in place measures that would discourage food importation.
The National Vice-President of the association, Mr Joshua Mabinuori, made the call in an interview with newsmen yesterday in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.
“It is important for Nigeria to feed herself. It is not negotiable. I think it is important that we put in place measures that would prevent food importation into this country.’’
Mabinuori said it was regrettable that government spent billions of naira to import food on a yearly basis, describing the expenditure as a colossal waste.
He added that the money could have been used to fund development projects in the agriculture sector.
Mabinuori averred that the country was blessed with abundant natural resources to boost food production and that government could launch the country on the path of greatness if it could give agriculture the attention it deserved.
“We have the climatic advantages, adequate rainfall, solar radiation; our soil is quite sustainable. How to coordinate these factors to bring out food security is the major problem in the country.
“If half of what government is spending on importation can be invested into agriculture, the result will be massive. It is unfortunate that government is not looking in that direction.
“As a matter of fact, there is food insecurity in the country. We don’t have enough food in the country and the best way to urgently address this problem is for government at all levels, to give priority to agriculture.
“Once government fails in agriculture, there is no how other sectors can survive because agriculture is the first contact with nature.”
The ASSAPIN boss, however, noted that one of the ways by which government could discourage food import was to encourage indigenous production of food through price subsidy for farmers.
“Government should buy this locally produced food from farmers at reasonable prices and push it to the market at a lower price.
“By doing this, people will be encouraged to buy and farmers will be able to sustain the business of food production and by extension, guarantee food security.”
The facility will be disbursed through participating Microfinance Institutions (MFIs), which will in turn extend the loans to their customers, particularly SMEs, as they directly interface with businesses at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of COMCIN, Mr. Micheal Ogbaa who represented the Chairman, Dr. Iredele Oyedele (FCA, FCCA), said the initiative is designed to strengthen micro-lending institutions and expand access to finance for grassroots entrepreneurs, particularly women and youths in the informal sector.
Ogbaa explained that COMCIN does not lend directly to individuals but works through its network of microfinance and cooperative institutions, which in turn provide loans to end users.
“We came together to advocate for the microfinance ecosystem. Commercial banks often exclude people at the grassroots, but our members are positioned to reach them. This facility will empower them to do more,” he said.
He noted that the loan scheme offers low interest rates and flexible repayment plans, making it more accessible to small business owners.
According to him, about 90 percent of beneficiaries are expected to be women, who play a key role in sustaining families and driving economic activities at the local level.
“Our focus is on traders, service providers, and players in the informal sector. These are the real movers of the economy. By supporting them, we are strengthening families and contributing to national development,” he added.
Ogbaa disclosed that eligible SMEs with proven integrity and business track records could access up to N5 million each through participating micro-lending institutions. The rollout has commenced in Lagos and will extend to Abuja, Enugu, and other regions, including the South-West, South-East, and North-East.
He said 12 micro-lending institutions have already benefited from the scheme, while 85 applications are currently being processed under the pilot phase.
“Our target is to reach at least 100,000 SMEs nationwide. We are building a platform that connects funding partners with credible micro-lending institutions, creating a reliable channel for financial inclusion,” Ogbaa said.
He added that COMCIN is also working to attract larger funding pools from development finance institutions and private investors, noting that successful implementation of the pilot phase would boost confidence and unlock more capital for SMEs.
“We have seen encouraging testimonies from early beneficiaries. As we demonstrate transparency and efficiency, more institutions will be willing to channel funds through us,” he said.
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