Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has expressed concern following new data from the National Bureau of Statistics showing that the country has spent over ₦1 trillion (around $600 million) on wheat imports between October 2023 and September 2024. 

The minister described the figure as alarming, stressing the urgent need to strengthen domestic wheat production and reduce dependence on imports.

The minister made this known at the 2nd National Rainfed Wheat Farmers Day held at the National Root Crops Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State. 

The event, organised by the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, sought to promote modern agricultural research and technologies that can boost productivity, alleviate poverty, and create employment opportunities.

Kyari highlighted the government’s commitment to innovation and improved crop varieties to enhance yield and food security. 

During a tour of the Vom wheat farm, he introduced a new hybrid wheat variety developed through advanced research to withstand harsh conditions and ensure better productivity. 

He urged farmers to adopt the new variety and other modern techniques that would advance national self-sufficiency in wheat production.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who joined the minister at the event, expressed dissatisfaction with Nigeria’s low yield per hectare. 

He directed the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Samson Bugama, to draw up a three-year strategic plan for improved wheat production, reaffirming the state’s commitment to revitalising agriculture and supporting farmers.

Representing all 36 state commissioners, Bugama hailed the event as a “milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward food sustainability.” 

He stressed the importance of state-level collaboration to achieve nationwide agricultural transformation.

Earlier, Professor Babagana Jugudum, Director and CEO of the Lake Chad Research Institute, underscored the role of research and technology in addressing Nigeria’s agricultural challenges. 

He appealed to Governor Mutfwang to allocate 50 hectares of land for the establishment of a new research facility in the state to advance agricultural innovation.

The event concluded with an inspection of the wheat demonstration farm in Vom, showcasing the progress of local agricultural research and its potential to transform Nigeria’s food production landscape.

Source: FRCN