NIGERIA – The Federal Government of Nigeria, in collaboration with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN), and the Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN), aims to achieve a target of 800,000 tonnes of wheat this year.
The three-year project aims to empower 25,000 farmers (5,000 block farmers and 20,000 new smallholder farmers) across Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, and Sokoto states.
Wheat yield is anticipated to increase 75%, from 2.0 to 3.5 metric tons (MT) per hectare, effectively doubling farmers’ income compared to the baseline.
FMAN is expected to offtake 99,450 metric tons of wheat grain from the project farmers, with 54,450 MT from block farmers and 45,000 MT from non-block farmers across the four states. In addition, FMAN is raising 20,000 tree seedlings to be distributed to the block farmers.
WFAN has assured its preparedness to cultivate over 350,000 hectares to produce not less than one million metric tonnes of wheat. Meanwhile, OCP Nigeria is collaborating with the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) to provide specialty fertilizer to farmers, aiding in accelerated wheat production in Nigeria.
Under the Nigerian Wheat Expansion Project, FMAN receives Technical Assistance (TA) support from IDH, an international social enterprise, to develop and implement the wheat supply chain to increase production capacity.
To support this goal, the Federal Government has decided to eliminate tariffs on wheat and other staples within a 150-day timeframe. This move is expected to boost the availability and affordability of wheat and related products in the market.
A recent satellite mapping and remote sensing study has revealed that around 277,577 hectares are currently under wheat cultivation, reflecting a substantial 139% increase from last year’s 115,909 hectares.
This study, focusing on wheat cultivation in 15 Northern states, was conducted under the AfDB initiative and the National Agricultural Scheme – Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) programme, indicating a significant expansion in the cultivated area.
The states include Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
Notably, Jigawa is cultivating 39,904 hectares of wheat this year, up from 18,288 last year, while Niger has increased its cultivation area to 42,672 hectares from 1,466 hectares last year.
A recent United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) grain report indicated that Nigeria will see a 42% rise in wheat production between July last year and this year, owing to a competitive guaranteed price agreed between farmers and millers.
FMAN has signed a memorandum of understanding with WFAN to purchase wheat at this competitive price.
Furthermore, FMAN has engaged certified seed companies to produce sufficient improved wheat seeds to plant 10,000 hectares during dry and wet seasons.
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