Speaking at the Lake Chad Research Institute’s 1st Rainfed Wheat National Farmers Field Day in Kuru, near Jos, the Plateau State capital, the minister said that, given the scarcity of wheat in the international market as a result of the Russian-Ukraine war, Nigeria has no choice but to increase wheat production.
According to him, the rainfed wheat production effort is a good development because it would greatly cut the cost of wheat production, as opposed to when it was solely planted in the dry season with an irrigation system.
Kyari emphasized that Nigeria has everything it needs to be self-sufficient in wheat production, citing a 2020 CBN research that shows Nigeria has over one million hectares of land that can be used for seed production, as well as wheat farmers ready to produce the crop.
He stated that if all hands are on deck, the country will reach its goal of self-sufficiency in wheat production in no time.
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The minister, who was represented by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture’s Desk Officer Wheat Value Chain, Nephtali David Tella, stated that they are committed to changing the country’s wheat narrative and that they have already paid a visit to Kano and Jigawa state to inspect certified wheat seeds with some seed companies.
The minister urged all wheat stakeholders to join the government’s production campaign in order for Nigeria to become self-sufficient in wheat production.
“What we’re seeing in the field today is verifiable proof that wheat can be grown under rainfed conditions.” Wheat has traditionally been cultivated in Nigeria in irrigated conditions, although it may now be grown under rain-fed conditions.”
“This is a beautiful development and a breakthrough, and it is equally good news for policymakers in Plateau, Cross River, and Taraba states, where rain-fed wheat cultivation is possible.”
Prof. Baba Gana Kabir, Director/CEL of Lake Chad Research Institute, stated in his remarks that wheat is a strategic commodity that represents a significant economic burden on Nigeria’s imports.
According to him, the commodity’s high import bill is attributable to exceptionally low domestic output and rising consumption levels.
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