The Federal Government, through the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, has flagged off dry-season cultivation of wheat as a staple crop for the country in Jigawa to reduce food inflation and importation, promote agricultural self-sufficiency, and stimulate economic growth.
The Minister of Agriculture, Senator Abubakar Kyari, while speaking during the flag-off ceremony of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agropocket (NAGS-AP) in Hadejia, Jigawa, disclosed that the government had secured a $134 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) for the project.
Kyari noted that the government is committed to ensuring that the support does get to the real farmers, while disclosing a plan to support between 150,000 and 250,000 farmers with a 50% input subsidy to cultivate between 200,000 and 250,000 hectares and an expected yield of 1,250,000 metric tons of wheat in the 2023–2024 wheat dry season farming.
FMAN establishes procurement centers in Wheat Producing states
“The dry season farming is an integral part of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and AgroPocket (NAGS-AP) Project, made possible by a $134 million loan facility advanced to Nigeria by the African Development Bank (AfDB), to expand the capacity of our farmers to engage in the cultivation of key staples like rice, maize, cassava, and wheat across the country.”
The Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, remarked that the wheat program is in line with the commitment of the state government to sustain progress and builds on previous achievements aimed at accelerating the drive to achieve food security.
FMAN establishes procurement centers in Wheat Producing states
“I am also truly delighted by the choice of Jigawa State as the primary focal state for the Wheat Development Program. It is common knowledge that Jigawa State is the heart of wheat production in Nigeria, with the potential to provide up to 200,000 hectares for wheat production.”
