As stakeholders in the agriculture mechanization industry prepares for the Special Agro equipment and Technology Expo in Abuja, the Chairman of Eurobase Consult Group, the leading organisers of the expo, Mr. Don Ekesiobi, has called on the Federal Government to remove the high import tariffs charged on all agricultural equipment coming into the country.
He said that high import tariffs negate the food security agenda of the government.
Ekesiobi, who stated this on Saturday at a media briefing in Abuja, ahead of a special Agro-equipment and Technology Expo slated for 16th and 17th April 2024, urged the Federal Government to review the high import tariffs on agro-equipment to zero percent to enable Nigerian farmers afford them in order to boost food production in the country.
He said: “Nigeria pays the highest import duty or tariff in the world on agro-equipment.”
Ekesiobi said with the President declaration of the state of emergency in the food sector, and investor’s willingness to invest in the agricultural sector, agro inputs and equipment should be made duty free.
According to him, “Nigeria is the only county in the world that pays the highest import duty on agricultural inputs hence the government should remove every form of import duty on agricultural equipment coming into the country as a way of encouraging investors in the sector.
On the Special Agro equipment and Technology Expo tagged Sustainable food security and Agro produce export through Mechanization, he said Eurobase Consult Limited, a local/country representative to 20 international agro Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) and has become an agro equipment conglomerate or one stop shop for all agro equipment’s and Farm Technology in Nigeria aim to bring GMT tractors that are specifically design to fit into Nigeria agricultural terrain.
“In other to boost Sustainable Agro production and Food Security, we 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 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 a high volume of Exported Agro produce. We are bringing them to Nigeria to replicate the 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.
“Agricultural business is not just the business of Government, though government is expected to create enabling environment and some form of subsidy for food to affordable to the poor. and that’s why as a private organization when Mr. President declared emergency on food security in Nigeria, which is in line with his 8 point agenda, we strategically align our programs and policies in achieving the set objective which will not only make food available, affordable and accessible but create jobs and reduce poverty among women and youths through Agro mechanization and food Processing.
“Through strategic business partnership with development partners, NGOs, farmers and commodities Association, government agencies and individuals we will capture food insecurity in Nigeria through sustainable farming practices that’s climate smart, value/nutritional driven, and can satisfy the needs of Nigeria people and the demand of the international market,” he said.
With the population as a nation, he said the level of innovation the group is bringing into farming will revolutionize or transform the agro sector in real time.
The President, Nigeria Young Farmers Network, Abubakar Bamai Musa, said the conference would afford young farmers the opportunity to learn and relearn new farming practices.
He said this is a very great advantage for the youths in the agro ecosystem because what discourages the youths to go into agriculture is that they see it as a dirty job. But with the advent of technology the narrative will change.
