Minister of State for Agriculture and Rural Development Mr. Heineken Lokpobiri has said importation of wheat will end soon.
He spoke in Abuja at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) and the Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN) to produce wheat locally.
The minister said a tonnage of wheat would cost N140, 000 in the first year of the agreement.
The minister expressed satisfaction over the agreement, adding that wheat importation had drained billions of naira from the country.
Lokpobiri said jobs lost to wheat importation would be saved.
He said the ministry was excited about the deal given the dwindling fortunes from oil as well as the fact that there is no more foreign exchange available for such importations.
Vice Chairman, FMAN, Mr. Lanre Jaiyeola, said the association would abide by the agreement.
Vice Chairman, Kano State chapter of the Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN), Farouk Rabiu Mudi, expressed faith in the collaboration.
Executive Director, Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Dr. Oluwasina Olabanji, market and inputs remained key challenges for local wheat production.