The National Project Coordinator of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-pocket Project (NAGS-AP), Mr. Ishaku Buba, says that the Nigerian Government is proposing to generate N1.25tn from wheat production in 2025.
Speaking at a workshop with media practitioners themed “Building Partnerships with the Media for Food Security” on Wednesday in Abuja Mr. Buba said that the goal was part of the ongoing National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-pocket Project, a platform aimed at increasing food security through the distribution of subsidised agricultural inputs to registered farmers nationwide.
He said the wheat production programme for the 2024/2025 dry season had been launched across 16 wheat-producing states, with a target of reaching 280,000 farmers.
According to him, more than 279,000 farmers have already been reached, with an estimated yield of 837,891 metric tonnes.
“We are looking at a significant boost in wheat production, and the expected output will generate revenue exceeding N1.25 trillion,” Buba stated.
This initiative follows a robust distribution model involving 409 redemption centers and a network of agro-dealers in the selected states.
He noted that 647,500 farmers have registered on the platform to date, and more than 628,000 have received inputs for various crops, including wheat and rice.
The programme is also set to expand, with additional farmers benefiting from both dry and wet season support across Nigeria.
“We are on track to meet our targets, and the NAGS-AP framework, backed by ICT, will ensure seamless implementation and accountability,” the report by Punch newspaper on Thursday quoted Buba as saying.
It added that the initiative has already seen success in the 2023/2024 dry season, with the wheat production programme achieving about 97 per cent success rate, delivering agricultural support to over 118,000 farmers in 15 states.
GIK/APA