Jumoke Olasunkanmi
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security has officially kicked off the 2023/2024 dry season wheat farming project under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) programme.
It aims to achieve an output of 400,000 tonnes of wheat, contributing to increased production, self-sufficiency and economic growth.
In the statement signed by the ministry’s Principal Information Officer, Obe Mabel, on Monday, the ministry said the project was made possible through a USD 134 million loan from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to support government’s efforts to empower farmers in cultivating key staples such as wheat, rice, maize, and cassava across the country.
At the launch held in Kadume, Hadejia Local Government Area of Jigawa State, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting approximately 100,000 farmers, noting that the plan includes a 50 percent input subsidy for cultivating over 100,000 hectares under the NAGS-AP programme.
Kyari emphasised the importance of technology in ensuring transparency, accountability, and performance tracking in the provision of subsidies and support services. The initiative will provide farmers with improved seeds, including heat-tolerant wheat varieties like Borlaug 100 and Norman.
He assured that the government would invest progressively in irrigation infrastructure projects to optimize water usage and address challenges associated with dry season farming. He urged stakeholders, the private sector, and civil society groups to seize the opportunity to contribute to agricultural prosperity and ensure a brighter future for Nigerians.
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Jigawa State, Mallam Umar Namadi, expressed optimism about the initiative aligning with the state’s agenda for food security, economic diversification, job creation and poverty reduction. He called for the speedy completion of the Hadejia Valley Irrigation Project to further enhance food security objectives.
In his remarks, Isayku Buba, the National Project Coordinator for NAGS-AP, highlighted the programme’s technology-enabled approach to guarantee transparency and accountability in subsidy provision and support services. The event included the distribution of agricultural inputs and showcased brand new tractors.
The 2023/2024 dry season wheat farming initiative signifies a collaborative effort between the federal government and states to address agricultural challenges, harness technology, and promote sustainable food production for the nation’s prosperity.
