FG Imports Wheat, Potassium From War-Torn Ukraine, Russia

The Federal Government has revealed that it expects no less than 25,000 metric tonnes of wheat from war-torn Ukraine.

The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mohammad Mahmood Abubakar, announced this at the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting presided over by President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Abubakar also revealed that Nigeria is expecting an unspecified quantity of potassium from Russia, a by-product of producing fertilizers.

While the wheat from Ukraine is currently sea-borne, talks between Russia and Nigeria on the importation of potassium are still ongoing.

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“The ship carrying the wheat is expected to berth in Port Harcourt from where it would be distributed across Nigeria and to neighbouring African countries. Nigeria may become the hub for accessing exported wheat from Ukraine because of the strained relationship between the country and Russia,” said Abubakar while briefing State House correspondents.

When asked why Nigeria is patronizing the two warring countries, Abubakar maintained that Nigeria has a neutral policy and can do business with any country it deems necessary.

Abubakar speaks on the seed policy.

Furthermore, Abubakar revealed that the FEC deliberated on a memo on National Revised Seed Policy to boost agricultural productivity in the country.

According to him, there are plans to inject Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) seeds into the national food chain to produce enough food to meet the rampant population growth.

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“The Federal Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development presented a memo today on our revised 2022 National Agricultural Seed Policy. This revision seeks to conform with global best practice in yield,” said Abubakar.

“Our farmers must have access to best quality seeds that have been fortified, seeds that can produce the yield that will be worth their while, seeds that can produce again [and] produce that can compete in the world market.”

The implementing agency is the National Agricultural Seed Council of Nigeria, Abubakar confirmed.

“Nigeria, every year, holds a summit that we call Seed Connect. This is an international summit that discusses and focuses on developments in seeds from around the globe.”