Nigeria alarmed by high wheat import costs

Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari, has expressed concern over recent National Bureau of Statistics data revealing that the country spent over 1 trillion naira (approximately $600 million USD) on wheat imports from October 2023 to September 2024. He described the figure as a troubling indicator of challenges in the agricultural sector, underscoring the urgent need to reduce reliance on imports.

The statement was made during the 2nd National Rainfed Wheat Farmers Day, held at the National Root Crops Research Institute in Vom, Plateau State. Organized by the Lake Chad Research Institute in Maiduguri under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the event aims to foster a modern agricultural research system to boost productivity, alleviate poverty, and create jobs.

Kyari highlighted the ministry’s focus on innovation and improving crop varieties to enhance yields. During a tour of a wheat farm in Vom, he showcased a new hybrid wheat variety, developed through advanced technology, which is more resilient to adverse conditions. He urged farmers to adopt these innovations to strengthen food security.

Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang, who joined the minister in inspecting the farm, expressed dissatisfaction with the country’s low crop yields per hectare. He directed the state’s Commissioner for Agriculture, Samson Bugama, to develop a three-year plan for successful wheat production in Plateau, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to revitalizing agricultural productivity and supporting farmers.

Speaking on behalf of commissioners from Nigeria’s 36 states, Bugama called the event a significant step toward food sustainability. Earlier, Professor Babagana Jugudum, Director and CEO of the Lake Chad Research Institute, emphasized the role of research in boosting agricultural output and appealed to the governor for 50 hectares of land to establish a research institute in the state. The event culminated in an inspiring inspection of the wheat farm in Vom, highlighting progress in agricultural innovation.

Tags: wheat, imports, Nigeria