RIFAN seeks reintroduction of warehousing system

The Kano State chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has advocated for the reintroduction of the warehousing system to address the plight of the farmers following the good dry season harvest this year. The state chapter Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Haruna Aliyu, made the request during a press conference held in Kano. He said […]

The Kano State chapter of Rice Farmers Association of Nigeria (RIFAN) has advocated for the reintroduction of the warehousing system to address the plight of the farmers following the good dry season harvest this year.

The state chapter Chairman, Alhaji Abubakar Haruna Aliyu, made the request during a press conference held in Kano.

He said although it was commendable that the price of paddy is coming down, it has consequences for the farmers.

The chairman revealed that it is unfortunate that farmers have spent a fortune during the dry season to cultivate rice, and ironically, the price of paddy is gradually dropping, sending a negative signal to farmers.

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He explained that the warehousing system allows farmers to deposit their commodities in warehouses to dry, clean, and grade them according to standards. The warehouse issues farmers a receipt and holds the commodities until the farmers sell them.

“Warehousing is a crucial link in the supply chain of a commodity that will be supplied by farmers, as it allows businesses to keep stock of items that the public may need at short notice or at a calculated interval. Without a warehouse, businesses would have to either source goods on as-needed basis, which can be expensive and logistically difficult, thereby creating another dimension of scarcity that can drag the nation back to square zero.

“We have to look at where rice farmers stand in the current development; if proper measures are not being properly taken, rice farmers will soon abandon it and look for something worth doing,” he warned.