Groundbreaking Wheat Initiative Aims for 1.25 Million Tonnes Amid Food Crisis
In a big move to tackle food shortages and rising prices, the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has kicked off dry-season wheat farming for 2023–2024 under a project called NAGS-AP.
This project aims to produce a whopping 1,250,000 metric tonnes of wheat each year and help cut food prices, boost farming, make us more self-sufficient, and fire up the economy.
During the ceremony in Kadume, Hadejia Local Government Area, Jigawa State, Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, shared,
“As part of the initiative, Federal Government aim to support about 150,000 to 250,000 farmers with 50% input subsidy to cultivate between 200,000 to 250,000 hectares and an expected yield of 1,250,000 tonnes of wheat.“
He highlighted that this dry season farming is part of a larger project supported by a $134 million loan from the African Development Bank, all to help farmers grow staples like rice, maize, cassava, and wheat across Nigeria.
The Minister in his words revealed that,
“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) and encapsulates, this Administration’s resolve to expand the capacity of our farmers to engage in the cultivation of key staples like rice, maize, cassava and wheat, across the country.”
Senator Kyari highlighted that technology would be a game-changer.
This means everything, from how subsidies are given to services like education, insurance, and extra money, will be transparent and clear.
He pointed out that farmers will get better seeds—special ones like Borlaug 100 and Attila, which can handle the heat.
He mentioned that the government plans to invest more in irrigation projects to make the best use of water and deal with dry-season problems.
The Minister also shared how they’re using technology to pinpoint the right farms, use verified farmer information, and connect farmers with places where they can redeem things they need, and it’s already making progress.
The Minister urged everyone involved—businesses, groups, and people—to grab this chance and make farming better in 2023/24.
He encouraged hope and said,
“Together, we can transform our challenges and pave the way for a sustainable and food secure nation, let us dare to renew our hope”
The Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, chimed in, saying this plan fits perfectly with the state’s plan for Greater Jigawa.
It’s all about food, jobs, and making life better for people.
He believes over 42,000 smaller farmers will grow more with this help from the government, getting half of what they need to farm.
The governor asked the government to speed up a big irrigation project that began a long time ago but isn’t done yet.
This project could help over 25,000 hectares of land get water, which would be a huge help to make sure we’ve got enough food.
The National Project Coordinator, Isayku Buba, added that technology will make sure everything is done fairly and rightly.
And as part of the event, they handed out tools to help farmers and showed off new tractors, making it clear they’re serious about making farming better for everyone.
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