In a bid to contain food shortage in the country and to also address the effect of inflation the Federal Government has flag off the 2023 wheat farming in Jigawa state.
The Minister of Agriculture and food security, Senator Abubakar Kyari in his address explained that the dry season farming is under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme And Agro-Pocket Project NAGS&AP.
He Added that the dry season farming offers a unique opportunity to harness the untapped potential of their land and it also diversify Nigeria’s food production capabilities.
He however, noted the importance of dry season cannot be over emphasized, stating that it allows them to overcome seasonal limitations and meet the demands of their growing Nigeria population.
He pointed out that, the dry season farming is being boosted by the African Development Bank loan of 134 Million Dollars and implemented under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-pocket NAGS-AP project.
He explained further that the implementation of this ICT-driven with earlier steps taken to geo-locate farmlands, enumerate, register and cluster no fewer than 250,000 farmers.
The minister added that in wheat production alone, they aim to support between 150,000 to 250,000 farmers with 50% input subsidy to cultivate between 200,000 to 250,000 hectares and an expected yield of 1,250,000 tonnes of wheat.
The Minister said, other selected staples are earmarked for similar, varied support, all aimed at significantly reducing food inflation, as well as Nigeria’s dependence on foreign import, while increasing domestic consumption.
Adding that, this will promote agricultural self-sufficiency and stimulate economic growth.
According to him, the critical requirement among others is availability of irrigable land where the dry season farming will take place.
The minister said, the crops being targeted for the dry season include wheat, cassava, rice, maize, sorghum which seeds have been imported from Mexico.
He noted that wheat farmers have been guaranteed permission to take their produce to the Flour Millers Association of Nigeria.
He described the launching as a milestone in realizing the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Abubakar Kyari said, the availability of agricultural inputs and machinery will enhance the cultivation of about one hundred and twenty thousand hectares in different parts of the country.
He urged all farmers, researchers, private sector entities, civil society organizations and other stakeholders to come together and seize the opportunity presented by this 2023 Dry season farming initiative.
He also called on them to usher in a new era of agricultural prosperity and ensure a brighter future for Nigeria.
He assured that they can transform their challenges into opportunities and pave the way for a sustainable and food-secure nation.
Some of the dignitaries that attended the event include Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State, Emir of Hadejia Dr Adamu Abubakar Maje, Deputy Chief of Staff to the Vice President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia and top government officials among others.
Meanwhile, Agricultural inputs distributed to registered farmers during the occasion , include: seeds, fertilizer, herbicides, solar irrigation pumping machines and pesticides, sprayers was distributed to farmers during the occasion.
