Following the closure of the Nigeria-Benin border as a result of what the Nigerian government has described as smuggling, local farmers in the northern part of the country have continued to celebrate the positive impact the border closure particularly the ban of rice is currently having on their businesses.
While being introduced to mechanized farming, the local farmers in Zaria said the border closure has reduced their completion in the market which usually leaves them with no option but to sell their products below their cost price but can now boast of an increase in the price of their farm produce.
Seed manufacturers have also commended the move by the government but are of the opinion that more support should be given to them particularly financially, in order to expand and go into commercialized agricultural practices, to boost their output and bridge the food insecurity gap.
