The Poultry Association of Nigeria (PAN) has appealed to the federal government to waive tariffs for maize, soybeans, wheat and other items to ensure accessibility and affordability by farmers and the general populace.

Its president, Mr. Ezekiel Mam, who made the appeal in a recent interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja, said such waivers would also enhance food security.

Mam, who also described as “worrisome,” the high inflation rate in the country between December 2020 and February 2021, believed that such a step would help mitigate it. He attributed the current high cost of poultry feeds to the hike in the cost of maize, soybeans, wheat and its other core ingredients, and called for urgent actions on it.

According to him, giving tariff waivers on these commodities will make them relatively cheap and affordable and will as well ensure a drastic reduction in the cost of buying poultry products. “We are appealing to the government to grant waivers on all maize, soybeans and wheat tariffs because unfortunately there is a shortage of supply of these commodities all over the world.

Considering the current situation, it will be difficult to really have it on the ground and relatively cheaper unless the tariffs on these commodities are removed. If there is any subsidy at all, priority should be given to food items,” he said. Blue Print