Eko Hot Blog reports that in a distressing plea, farmers and buyers in Kogi State, united under the banner of the Farmers Forum of Nigeria, have sounded the alarm over an alleged plan to hike cashew produce payment from ₦30,000 to ₦90,000.
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The forum, seeking intervention from Governor Usman Ododo and President Bola Tinubu, warns that such a move could turn Kogi State into a mockery.
Barrister Ibrahim Adam, the spokesperson for the Farmers Forum, implored the state government to alleviate their burden by putting an end to what they perceive as suffocating multiple taxation.
The group believes that the agricultural sector, specifically cashew farmers, is grappling with excessive levies that could have detrimental effects on their livelihoods.
In a statement, Adam expressed the Forum’s concern, stating, “The Produce Inspection Department, PID, in Kogi State charges the highest inspection fee in the country at ₦30,000 per truck, while other states…charge significantly lower fees.”
He further lamented the decision to raise levies on cashew goods to ₦90,000, pointing out the disparity with fees charged in other states.
Highlighting the breakdown of various levies, Adam conveyed the frustration of cashew farmers, saying, “All these levies are from Kogi State Board of Internal Revenue, and there are also numerous roadblocks under the auspices of produce extorting motorists and harassing drivers and buyers carrying these cashew goods from farm gate to the warehouse for sale.”
The spokesperson underscored the detrimental impact of such levies, noting that they contradict the ease of doing business, deter foreign buyers and investors, and impoverish the farmers.
Adam appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and federal government agencies, including the Ministry of Agriculture, to intervene and compel the state government to cease these levies, which, according to him, are causing undue hardship to the people.
The Farmers Forum of Nigeria, dedicated to standardizing agriculture in Nigeria and improving farming systems, seeks urgent attention to prevent Kogi State from becoming an exception in the cashew-producing landscape.
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The farmers argue that these levies not only hinder the cashew business but also contribute to unnecessary harassment and hardships faced by those engaged in the sector.
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