Nigeria sets ambitious wheat production drive to strengthen food sovereignty

Nigeria’s government has announced plans to significantly boost wheat production during the 2025/2026 dry season as part of a broader strategy to strengthen food sovereignty and reduce dependence on imports. The initiative is being implemented under the National Agricultural Growth and Agro Pocket Project (NAGS-AP).

The announcement was made by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, during the launch of the subsidised agricultural inputs distribution programme in Borno State in northeastern Nigeria. According to him, tens of thousands of hectares have been designated for wheat cultivation this season, with a large number of registered farmers set to benefit from government support.

Kyari recalled that the programme delivered strong results in previous seasons by providing farmers with essential inputs such as certified seeds, fertilisers and crop protection products. For the current season, the government is also deploying Agricultural Extension Agents to support farmers with modern agronomic practices and continuous field-level advisory services.

He stressed that strict quality control will be enforced to ensure all inputs supplied to farmers meet required standards. Fertiliser and seed quality control officers will be mobilised to guarantee timely delivery of high-quality inputs, which authorities see as critical to improving productivity and farm incomes.

Commenting on the programme, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum welcomed the continued federal support for irrigation development and all-season farming. He noted that despite security and climate-related challenges, the state remains one of Nigeria’s most promising agricultural frontiers. Representatives of smallholder farmers, in turn, pledged to increase wheat output in line with national efforts to revitalise the agricultural sector and ensure food security.

Tags: wheat, Nigeria, food security