Expert: High Import Tariffs on Agro-equipment Threatens Food Security

James Emejo in Abuja

Chairman, Eurobase Consult Group, Mr. Don Ekesiobi, has decried the high import tariffs on agro-equipment, warning that this posed a threat to the food security agenda of the current administration.

Speaking at a media briefing over the weekend ahead of a special Agro-equipment and Technology Expo, he urged the federal government to effect a downward review of import tariffs on agro-equipment to enable Nigerian farmers’ access to boost food production in the country.

He said: “Nigeria pays the highest import duty or tariff in the world on agro-equipment. But my appeal to the government is that as Mr. President has declared a state of emergency on food security, he should remove import tariffs on agro-equipment at least for sometime to enable Nigeria to balance very well in the quest for food security.

“The federal government should also make it easier for the clearance of these equipment. If government insists on collection of high import tariffs, the objective of achieving food security will not be realised. Agro-equipment takes high volume of space. If we ship three tractors, which are in one container, what the clearing agents are charging now is N15 million.

“This was the same agro-equipment we were paying N3 million about three years ago. After the clearing, who will buy it at this high cost?”

Ekesiobi said, “The government should immediately make zero import duty on agro-equipment to enable Nigeria to attain food security. The earlier the government does it, the better for everybody.”

He identified insecurity as one of the major challenges confronting farmers, while urging the federal government to work assiduously to contain the situation to enable farmers to go back to farms.

He added that these foreign partners would assist in propelling the development of Nigerian agricultural business sector.

According to him, “Eurobase Consult Limited is duly registered and incorporated in Nigeria under the Companies and Allied Matters Act of 1990.

“We are local partner/country representatives to 20 international agro Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) from Israel, India, China, Thailand, Indonesia, South Africa, USA, Brazil, Holland, and by this Association, our company has become an agro-equipment conglomerate or one stop shop for all agro- equipment’s and Farm Technology.

“In order to boost Sustainable Agro production and food security, we carefully selected 10 among our foreign partners with good global impactful track record that can propel the development of Nigerian Agricultural business sector.

“They have contributed in executing agro projects in different western and Asian countries that are self-sufficient in food production and have high volume of Exported Agro produce.

“We are bringing them to Nigeria to replicate same multi-billion dollar agro business in Nigeria. We are in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security to achieve this objective.”