The Federal government says it is targeting to produce wheat over 70, 000 hectares across the wheat production zone of the country with an expected yield of 875,000 metric tonnes for the country’s food reserve.
This, it said, is an implementation of the dry season wheat production starting in November 2023 as part of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) projects funded by the African Development Bank.
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen Abubakar Kyari, who stated this during a press briefing in Abuja said there will also be blending of appropriate fertilisers to support this year’s dry season farming while making provisions for next year farming season.
Other targets under the scheme, he said, include: providing train-the-trainer for extension agents involved in dry season farming in collaboration with wheat producing states and other partners such as flour mills.
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Furthermore, he said, arrangements are also at an advanced stage for dry season farming of rice, maize and other horticultural crops.
He, however, noted that the ministry would hold the National Agriculture and Food Security Summit in November 2023 to bring all stakeholders together for development of the National Action Plan for Food Security with an implementation and sustainability strategy.
Kyari added that the ministry will review the mechanisms and processes for delivering fertilisers and agro pesticides input to farmers under a transparent and accountable regime.
The minister said they will also distribute pasture seeds and cuttings for dry season pasture and fodder development for livestock productivity beginning November 2023.
He said: “Under this scheme, the target is to produce wheat over 70, 000 hectares across the wheat production zone of the country with an expected yield of 875,000 metric tonnes for our food reserve.”