Farmers in northern Nigeria have lost more than two million tons of rice, a quarter of the country’s projected harvest, due to flooding. Despite the loss, Nigeria is so far upholding a year-long ban on land-based imports of rice to crack down on smuggling and boost local production
Nigeria’s decision to close land border trade to stop smuggling is affecting regional trade and prices of goods being forced through already bogged-down water ports. Nigeria’s neighbors argue it’s against the principles of free trade but Nigerian rice farmers have welcomed the move to support local industry. Timothy Obiezu reports from Abuja~VOA NEWS