- FG Launches New Wheat Programme to Strengthen Food Security
- Zulum described Borno as one of the most promising agricultural regions due to its vast arable and irrigable land
- Kyari said the programme will deploy Agricultural Extension Agents to guide farmers on modern farming practices
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security Senator Abubakar Kyari has announced that the Federal Government is targeting an output value of about one hundred and sixty billion Naira from wheat production for the 2025 to 2026 dry season as part of efforts to strengthen food sovereignty and reduce reliance on imports.
Eko Hot Blog reports that he made this known during the flag off of the subsidised agricultural inputs distribution for the twenty twenty five to twenty twenty six dry season wheat production programme under the National Agricultural Growth and Agro Pocket Project held in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.
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Senator Kyari stated that the Ministry has earmarked forty thousand hectares of land for wheat cultivation under the programme and registered eighty thousand farmers with an expected output value of about one hundred and sixty billion Naira. He added that out of the forty thousand hectares, three thousand hectares have been allocated to Borno State with six thousand registered wheat farmers.
Reviewing previous seasons, the minister recalled that under the twenty twenty three to twenty twenty four dry season wheat programme, one hundred and seven thousand four hundred and twenty nine registered farmers were supported with subsidised inputs which produced an output valued at N474,682,000.
During the 2024 to 2025 season, two hundred and seventy nine thousand two hundred and ninety seven farmers received support and recorded an output valued at eight hundred and ninety three million seven hundred and fifty thousand and four Naira.
For the current season, the programme is targeting eighty thousand farmers with an estimated output value of one hundred and sixty billion Naira.
Kyari said the programme will deploy Agricultural Extension Agents to guide farmers on modern farming practices and provide continuous field advisory services. Fertiliser and Seed Quality Control Officers will also monitor inputs to ensure they meet required standards for improved productivity.
He explained that the wheat component of the programme covers sixteen states including Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. He noted that the inclusion of Cross River expanded wheat cultivation into the southern region for the first time.
Kyari emphasised that the project is designed to include women and young people by providing equitable access to inputs, training, and opportunities. He said the success of any agricultural season depends on the quality of inputs such as certified seeds, accurate fertiliser blends, and timely crop protection products.
He stressed the importance of transparency and traceability in delivering inputs to farmers, saying the system ensures that every farmer receives the right materials for higher productivity.
Borno State Governor Professor Babagana Zulum appreciated the federal government for its support for irrigation development. He said the commitment of President Bola Tinubu to food security forms the basis for programmes like this.
Zulum described Borno as one of the most promising agricultural regions due to its vast arable and irrigable land, especially around the Lake Chad Basin. He added that the ceremony represents hope, resilience, and determination to ensure no family goes hungry in the state.
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to all season farming through the provision of infrastructure, machinery, improved seeds, fertilisers, and other inputs. He highlighted the state’s achievements in supporting smallholder farmers and resettled communities with agricultural inputs and guidance.
Speaking on behalf of the farmers, Alhaji Haruna Umaru pledged increased production in alignment with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for the agricultural sector.
The event featured the distribution of subsidised agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers.
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