During this year’s dry season, the Federal Government has committed to providing a 50% input subsidy to about 250,000 wheat farmers, ensuring their support in cultivating around 250,000 hectares. At the opening of the dry season farming for 2023/2024, an initiative under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-pocket Project to provide extensive assistance to wheat farmers, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister in charge of Agriculture and Food Security, made the announcement at the event held in Kadume Village, Hadejia Local Government Area, Jigawa State, on Saturday. He revealed that this support from the federal government aims to achieve a significant yield of more than 1.2 million tonnes of wheat throughout the farming season.
He mentioned that dry season farming plays a crucial role in both the National Agricultural Growth Scheme as well as the AgroPocket Project, which has been made feasible through a loan of $134 million provided to Nigeria by the African Development Bank (AfDB). The country’s current administration, led by President Bola Tinubu, has firmly committed to enhancing farmers’ abilities to cultivate essential crops such as rice, maize, cassava, and wheat. According to him, the administration aims to boost the capacity of farmers nationwide in order to expand the production of these staple crops.
Food inflation and reliance on foreign imports will be reduced.
The minister added that the goal of enhancing agricultural productivity in order to achieve a minimum 20% increase in crop yields from the previous year. Additionally, during the wet season, soybeans and sorghum will be cultivated alongside other valuable crops. The minister also mentioned the intention to provide diverse assistance to selected staple products, with the objective of substantially decreasing food inflation and reducing Nigeria’s reliance on foreign imports. Also, this would lead to an increase in domestic consumption, therefore addressing several crucial concerns.
In addition, he emphasised the government’s dedication to ensuring an equitable distribution of aid to farmers and asserted that this would, in turn, enhance the agricultural independence of the country and boost economic development. Also, the Integration of technology will make the implementation of this initiative easier, ensuring transparency and accountability not only in the distribution of subsidies but also in the provision of supplementary services such as extension programs, insurance coverage, and additional financial support.
Enhanced seed irrigation infrastructure will be provided for productivity.
To address the challenges posed by the dry season, he pledged his commitment to providing farmers with enhanced seeds such as Borlaug 100 and Attila, which are heat-resistant wheat varieties. Furthermore, he promised to invest in irrigation infrastructure projects to maximise water utilisation and ensure efficient agricultural practices. He also appealed to farmers nationwide to secure a prosperous future for Nigeria, urging them to embrace the dry season farming initiative. This is expected to bring in a period of agricultural success, seeking support from every corner of the country.
Wheat cultivators hold a crucial position within the economy, propelling both regional and nationwide financial progress. Their impact extends beyond their fields, as they create job prospects not only within their own farms but also throughout associated sectors like transportation, processing, and manufacturing. Amid the arid season, these industrious farmers confront distinctive obstacles that necessitate their unwavering determination and flexibility. Ensuring the survival and growth of wheat crops amidst meagre rainfall and high temperatures necessitates good precision and innovation, making it a challenging task.
Governor Namadi commends the government’s effort on wheat development.
Lastly, Umar Namadi, Governor of Jigawa State, expressed his appreciation for the efforts of the Federal Government in initiating the Wheat Development Programme in Jigawa. He emphasised that the state holds a prominent position as a major cultivator of various crops, including rice, sesame, and hibiscus. Highlighting the significance of Jigawa State, he asserted that it serves as the primary hub for wheat production in Nigeria. Furthermore, he emphasised the enormous potential of the state, with a capacity to allocate a substantial 200,000 hectares solely for wheat production.
Related Link
AFDB: Website
