The Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) in Lagos has appealed to the Federal Government to route agricultural support initiatives through registered farmers’ associations to ensure that genuine farmers benefit and to strengthen domestic rice production.
The appeal was made on Tuesday in Lagos by the Chairman of RIFAN in the state, Raphael Hunsa, who acknowledged the government’s commitment to supporting the rice industry but argued that current interventions remain inadequate and often fail to get to the intended recipients.
Hunsa alleged that some political actors undermine intervention programmes by including non-farmers among beneficiaries during the distribution of agricultural inputs.
“We appreciate the federal government’s efforts to support rice production and ensure the availability of locally produced rice. However, the interventions are not enough, and many of the inputs do not get to genuine farmers because some people pose as farmers to benefit from them,” he said.
He further claimed that fertilisers supplied under the administration of President Bola Tinubu are frequently diverted before they can get to actual rice producers.
“When the government provides interventions, politicians bring in individuals who are not farmers to collect fertilisers meant for genuine farmers. When farmers are denied these inputs, they become discouraged, and production cannot increase as expected,” he said.
According to Hunsa, this pattern of diversion could give the false impression that government interventions have successfully reached farmers, whereas many legitimate beneficiaries continue to be excluded.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to work directly with recognised farmers’ associations when distributing agricultural inputs in order to improve accountability, transparency and efficiency in the process.
“If the government channels these interventions through farmers’ associations, they will reach the right farmers, production will increase, and the sector will continue to grow.
“Local rice production is improving, and prices are gradually declining, but sustained government support is needed to further increase output,” he said.
