The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) is taking proactive steps to support effective dry-season farming across Nigeria. Senator Abubakar Kyari, the Minister for Agriculture and Food Security, announced this initiative during a tour of the Apapa Bulk Terminal Facility of Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc. in Lagos. The purpose of the visit was to inspect the offloading and dispatch of 6,750 metric tons (MT) of high-yielding certified wheat seeds imported into the country through the collaboration of the Flour Millers Association of Nigeria (FMAN).
The Minister, accompanied by Minister of State Senator Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi and other senior FMAFS officials, emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing agricultural output and reducing the nation’s dependency on wheat imports. The selected seed variety, Borlaug 100, reflects the government’s determination to significantly boost production. Senator Kyari highlighted the administration’s unwavering commitment, led by Senator Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to the sustainable transformation of Nigeria’s food production capacities.
The decision to collaborate with the Flour Millers Association of Nigeria for seed procurement was based on the association’s well-documented history of catalyzing the growth of wheat development in the country through various successful initiatives. This strategic partnership aims to empower Nigerian farmers and contribute to the achievement of food security objectives.
The importation of high-yielding certified wheat seeds aligns with the government’s broader vision for sustainable agricultural development and underscores the importance of public-private collaborations in achieving national food security goals. The initiative is expected to positively impact dry-season farming activities, fostering increased productivity and reducing the need for wheat imports.