The Federal Government Agricultural Policies, including but not limited to the recently earmarked 40,000 hectares of land in Jigawa State, has been tipped as a booster for wheat production in the country. The said policies were also underscored as capable of driving the National Wheat Development Programme in Nigeria.
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State disclosed this following a briefing with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on various developmental matters in the state. At the same time, he expressed gratitude to the President for earmarking 40,000 hectares of land in the state for the National Wheat Development Programme.
According to Governor Namadi, the ambitious target is to produce two million tonnes of wheat through the National Wheat Development Programme and the state’s initiative aimed at food sufficiency and potential export. While highlighting President Tinubu’s supportive stance, he emphasized the assurance of full backing to ensure the successful realization of these targets.
In November 2023, the Nigerian Government initiated the dry season program in Jigawa, allocating 100,000 hectares for wheat farming nationwide, with Jigawa State receiving 40,000 hectares specifically for the program. Governor Namadi conveyed President Tinubu’s commitment to supporting the state government in achieving its outlined objectives.
In his words, The Governor said that Jigawa State occupies a strategic position in wheat production in Nigeria. “We are number one in wheat production in Nigeria. So, the issue is we have already made a difference because we are number one. And then today, like I told you, out of 120,000 hectares for Nigeria, Jigawa State alone is given 40,000 hectares, and that shows that we are making a difference.”
He asked whether Nigeria could attain wheat sufficiency in Nigeria: “Certainly, we will. In Jigawa State, we have a FADAMA land of over 400,000 hectares. So, that is only FADAMA land that we can cultivate both in rainy and dry season.” The Governor, who gave insight into the possibility of exporting the wheat, said: “Certainly, we are going to export wheat over time. We’re doing the first one, and then after this one, we’re going for rice; the next one, we’re going for wheat; that’s how the cycle will continue. We’re going to have food sufficiency, and we’ll have”
It is important to note that Nigeria needs to improve wheat production, relying on imports to meet local demands. However, the war between Russia and Ukraine, coupled with the collapse of the Black Sea grain deal, created a supply shortfall, which increased wheat prices across the world.
Between October 2022 and September 2023, Nigeria spent around N970 billion on wheat imports. In the first nine months of 2023, Nigeria spent around N783.26 billion on wheat imports, mainly from Latvia, Canada, Lithuania, the United States, Poland, and Argentina.
