Kyari revealed this development during a press briefing while inspecting various seed wheat production activities in Kano on Friday. He said the government's unwavering commitment to achieving a significant surge in wheat production during the upcoming dry season, not only to meet local demand but also to bolster foreign exports.
He further clarified that President Tinubu's renewed agricultural agenda is driven by the determination to ensure food security for Nigeria, with an immediate focus on the commencement of wheat farming in the dry season.
During his visit to Kano and Jigawa to oversee the seed production process, the minister expressed his contentment with the progress made in local wheat production, emphasizing its pivotal role in bolstering the nation's agricultural sector.
“Jigawa State has shown a lot of interest in wheat farming by providing 40,000 hectares of land for wheat farming, closing on the 70,000 hectares set aside by the Federal Government to achieve this year,” he said.
The minister explained that the Federal Government was making efforts to have enough seeds to cover the 70,000 hectares provided for wheat farming.
“The breeder and foundation seeds were checked before it became satisfied to phase out wheat importation before next year’s irrigation farming.
“This is because importation of the wheat is taking a lot of Nigeria’s foreign reserve.
Kyari noted that the Federal Government planned to secure the nation’s food production and be self-sufficient, adding that local production was one way that importation of seeds would completely be stopped.
“In the next 4-5 years, with the Programmes set out, Nigeria would completely stop importations of wheat seeds and be self-sufficient with the local production that would enhance food production and security.”
The minister was at the National Wheat Council Ware Houses at Sharada, AA Albasu Grains Company, and Alyumna Seeds Production Company.
