Agricultural experts and stakeholders in the wheat value chain are set to change the reliance on wheat imports to meet Nigeria’s domestic demand.
Among the targets renewed by the stakeholders in the wheat value chain include the yearly production of 250,000 hectares of wheat from the current 150,000 hectares. This target is expected to increase domestic wheat production from the current 160,000 tonnes to 400,000 tonnes annually. The stakeholders also aim to improve the quality of locally produced wheat to meet international standards and reduce import dependence.
According to current estimations, Nigeria will import 6.5 million tonnes of wheat in 2023 to meet its domestic demand. This heavy reliance on imports concerns the stakeholders, making the country vulnerable to supply disruptions and price volatility. The stakeholders are, therefore, calling for a shift towards local production to reduce import dependency and improve food security.
Dr Chris Akem, TAAT programme Coordinator, explained at the opening of a two-day stakeholders’ engagement on wheat seed sector workshop that a deliberate effort is being made to revive Nigeria’s potential in wheat production.
Akem voiced concern about bottlenecks restricting the country’s wheat production capacity, stating that with renewed dedication and good policies, Nigeria can catch up with Sudan and Ethiopia and even multiply its output margin.
“Nigeria has the potential to increase production and even catch up with Sudan and Ethiopia in production if only we can address our challenges. Parts of the challenges are lack of political will, bureaucracy, and sometimes policy inconsistency.
“A government can put up a policy that could be working fine, and suddenly another government would surface and terminate that and introduce another policy. Now, what we are putting together now is to revive the target put in place two years ago to increase production with good agricultural activities, quality seeds and extending areas of production”, Akem noted.
Aliyu Samaila, National Program Manager of the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMN), expressed confidence that Nigeria will reach, if not exceed, the wheat production target as long as crucial stakeholders maintain the right attitude and partnership.
Samaila stated that the influence of FMN on workforce development and technology investment in wheat production in seven states, which is now yielding 3.2 tonnes per hectare, bodes well for the country’s future in wheat production.
Although it may take some time to achieve major reductions in wheat imports, Samaila believes farmers must be encouraged to cultivate the right attitude in production due to the substantial gap.
Challenges to Local Production
Despite the renewed targets to boost local wheat production, several challenges face the wheat value chain in Nigeria. These challenges include inadequate funding, poor infrastructure, and limited access to inputs and technology. In addition, wheat production heavily depends on irrigation, which is lacking in most parts of the country.
According to Munir Babba DanAgundi, Chairman of the House Committee on Agricultural Institutions, there is a need for sustained funding, infrastructure development, and access to inputs and technology to achieve these targets.
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