By Emma Ujah,
The Federal Government has launched an ambitious initiative to boost Nigeria’s wheat production, as part of its broader strategy to enhance food security and reduce reliance on imported wheat.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun, announced the initiative—National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP)—in Abuja. He emphasized that the program would address food supply challenges while driving agricultural productivity and economic growth.
According to a statement by Mr. Mohammed Manga, Director of Information and Public Relations in the Ministry of Finance, the scheme spans 16 wheat-producing states and targets 280,000 smallholder farmers and select medium-scale farmers organized into clusters.
National Project Coordinator Ishaku Buba provided further details during a briefing, noting that participants are required to contribute resources to cover inputs for one hectare of irrigated land. Fertilizer packages vary, with most farmers receiving 50kg of Urea and 100kg of NPK fertilizer, while Jigawa State farmers will receive increased inputs due to unique soil nutrient needs and additional support from the state government to boost wheat production.
The initiative includes significant financial incentives, such as a 25% subsidy on certified wheat seeds and a 50% subsidy on fertilizers, to reduce costs for farmers.
To facilitate input distribution, 409 redemption centers have been established, with 281 centers currently operational, benefiting 68,389 farmers—approximately 24.42% of the program’s target. The input distribution phase is expected to conclude this month, aligning with the wheat planting calendar.
Enhanced security measures are in place at redemption centers, with personnel from the Nigeria Police, DSS, and NSCDC ensuring smooth operations.
The Federal Government views this initiative as a critical step toward self-sufficiency in wheat production, aiming to empower farmers while contributing to the nation’s food security and economic development.