The Federal Government has announced plans to scale up dry-season wheat production, targeting an estimated ₦160 billion in output value for the 2025/2026 season to boost food sovereignty and reduce reliance on imports.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, disclosed this during the flag-off of the subsidised agricultural inputs distribution for the 2025/2026 wheat production season under the National Agricultural Growth and Agro Pocket Project (NAGS-AP) held in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State on Saturday, 15 November 2025.
Kyari explained that the Ministry, through NAGS-AP, has earmarked 40,000 hectares for dry-season wheat cultivation and registered 80,000 farmers, with a projected output value of ₦160 billion.
He added that 3,000 hectares of the allocated land had been assigned to Borno State, where 6,000 wheat farmers have been registered for the season.
Reflecting on past performance, the Minister said that during the 2023/2024 dry season, 107,429 farmers received subsidised inputs, resulting in an output valued at ₦474.6 billion.
In the 2024/2025 season, 279,297 farmers were supported, yielding an output valued at ₦893.7 billion.
Kyari noted that the 2025/2026 season will support 80,000 farmers, maintaining the output target of approximately ₦160 billion.
He emphasised that the NAGS-AP programme will deploy agricultural extension agents to guide farmers on modern agronomic practices and provide continuous field-level advisory services.
Fertiliser and seed quality control officers will also be mobilised to ensure that inputs supplied to farmers meet required quality standards.
According to the Minister, the wheat component of NAGS-AP covers sixteen states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
He noted that the inclusion of Cross River last year marked the first expansion of wheat production into the southern region, strengthening national efforts to diversify across ecological zones.
Kyari added that the programme is deliberately structured to include women and young people by ensuring equitable access to inputs, training, and opportunities.
He stressed that quality agricultural inputs are critical to achieving national food security targets.
“Without certified seeds, accurate fertiliser blends, and timely access to crop protection products, no level of effort in the field can deliver the yields we require as a nation,” he said.
Governor of Borno State, Professor Babagana Zulum, commended the Federal Government for its support in strengthening irrigation development.
He stated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to food security underpins the success of initiatives such as NAGS-AP.
Zulum noted that Borno’s vast arable and irrigable land, particularly within the Lake Chad Basin, positions the state as one of Nigeria’s most promising agricultural frontiers.
He described the flag-off as “a celebration of hope, resilience, and commitment to ensuring no family in Borno goes hungry and no farmer is left behind,” adding that the state has continued to achieve progress despite challenges such as displacement, insecurity, and climate shocks.
The Governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to all-season farming through continued investment in infrastructure, logistics, machinery, improved seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, and other essential inputs.
Representing the smallholder farmers, Alhaji Haruna Umaru pledged increased production in alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the agricultural sector.
The event concluded with the distribution of subsidised agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers.
Source: FMINO
Image Credit: FRCN HQ
