Nigeria’s Journey Towards Wheat Self-Sufficiency: A Path to 70% Production
Nigeria has made significant strides in wheat production, with plans to achieve 70% self-sufficiency in the next five years. Dr. Oluwasina Olabanji, former executive director of the Lake Chad Research Institute, shared insights on Nigeria’s progress at the West and Central Africa Wheat Collaborative Network Wheat summit in Abuja.
Highlighting historical neglect of wheat as a staple crop in Africa, Olabanji praised interventions from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center and the African Development Bank. Nigeria’s Agricultural Transformation Agenda led to a dramatic increase in wheat production, reaching 10% self-sufficiency.
Despite policy challenges, efforts like the WECA Wheat initiative aim to enhance productivity with high-yield varieties. Dr. Toyin Adetunji of TAAT emphasized the African Development Bank’s Feed Africa initiative to increase productivity and support farmers across the continent.
As Nigeria plans to cultivate 250,000 hectares of wheat, collaboration, innovation, and policy reform are essential for achieving the goal of 70% self-sufficiency by 2025. With global challenges like the Russian-Ukraine war affecting wheat supply, the urgency for African nations to boost production is clear.
Through strong government support and effective policies, Africa can unlock its agricultural potential and secure food security for the region.
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