It is a depressing initiative

The President of the African Development Bank (AfBD), Akinwumi Adesina, has criticised the German government’s decision to suspend tariffs and taxes on imported food.

As a reminder, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, announced last week that duties, tariffs and taxes on imports of maize, husked brown rice, wheat and cowpeas through the country’s land and sea borders would be suspended for 150 days.

Reacting to the development, Adesina argued that the plan would only counteract the short-term rise in food prices in the country.

He shared his reservations at a recent retreat organized by the African Primates of the Council of Anglican Provinces of Africa (CAPA) in Abuja over the weekend.

Speaking on the topic “Food Security and Financial Sustainability in Africa: The Role of the Church,” Adesina said the plan was depressing.

He said, “The recent announcement of the opening of Nigeria’s borders to massive food imports just to counteract short-term increases in food prices is depressing.

“Nigeria cannot rely on importing food to stabilize prices. Nigeria should produce more food to stabilize food prices while creating jobs and reducing foreign exchange expenditure, which will help further stabilize the naira.”

The AfDB president said Nigeria must not become a food import-dependent country, adding: “Nigeria cannot overcome food insecurity through imports.”

He stressed that Nigeria should take pride in providing its own food and that a nation that depends on the help of others to feed itself is independent in name only.

“It is therefore clear that Africa cannot eradicate poverty unless it transforms its agriculture.

“Food is essentially money. The food and agricultural market in Africa will reach a trillion dollars by 2030,” added Adesina.