Nigeria Bans Foreigners From Buying Agricultural Produce From Farmers
Nigeria’s government prohibits foreigners from purchasing agricultural produce directly from farmers. The government says middlemen exploit farmers by buying cheaply and driving up prices.
The Federal Executive Council (FEC) announced the ban on its Twitter account, saying that only licensed and duly registered local buying agents can now buy products directly from farmers in the country.
The tweet read “The Federal Executive Council (FEC) today approved a Ban on foreigners and their representatives purchasing agricultural produce at the farm gate. Henceforth, only licensed and duly registered local buying agents can now buy products directly from farmers in Nigeria,”.
The Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, said foreigners are coming to farm gates to buy produce at low prices, thus discouraging farmers from continuing their trade. Mr. Adebayo added that foreigners are buying produce at low prices from the farmers, therefore discouraging them from pursuing their trade.
“As part of the FEC approval, the Attorney-General will draft a law that will be sent to NASS to support the implementation of the new Policy.
“We will also use Commodity Associations, to which the farmers belong, to ensure effective implementation,” he said.
Also, the national president, All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Ibrahim Kabir, welcomed the decision, which he said was because the low rates foreign middlemen pay poor farmers at the farm gate.
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“I strongly support the government for taking that action, I know in the Kano areas, some Lebanese go to our farms to buy things and some Chinese also go to buy from the farm.
“So, once you buy from the farm gate the farmers sell at a low bottom price but if you come to the market and sell directly that means you will get your small profits, “.
However, this has sparked mixed reactions from Nigerians as some expect the market to operate freely so that the farmers can make international contacts while others feel it will have an adverse effect on the economy if not cautioned.
