News in brief:
– Nigeria’s wheat imports may drop as market prices surge, driving efforts to boost domestic production.
– Government and private sector initiatives aim to improve local wheat farming with new fertilisers and expanded farmlands.
The price of wheat in Nigeria has surged significantly, causing concern among industry stakeholders. A 100kg bag of wheat flour now costs ₦86,000, forcing bread prices to rise between ₦1,300 and ₦1,500 per loaf. This comes as domestic wheat production remains significantly lower than demand, leading to increased reliance on imports.
Nigeria’s costly wheat imports
Nigeria spends approximately $3.03 billion annually on wheat imports, with local production estimated at just 400,000 metric tonnes—far below the 4.7 million tonnes imported yearly by flour millers. According to ReportLinker Consulting, the country’s wheat consumption is expected to increase to 5.2 million metric tonnes by next year, a 0.6% rise from 2021.
However, projections indicate that Nigeria’s wheat output could decline to 48.7 million metric tonnes by 2026, marking an average annual drop of 2.5%.
Specialised fertiliser to boost production
To address this shortfall, the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) in collaboration with OCP Africa, a Moroccan fertiliser company, has developed a specialised fertiliser for wheat. This innovation could increase farmers’ earnings to ₦400,000 per hectare.
Dr Turaki Zakari, Director of Agricultural Research at LCRI, confirmed successful fertiliser trials in Kano, Jigawa, Kaduna, and Jos.
Similarly, Caleb Usoh, Head of Business Development for Africa at OCP Africa, noted that they are currently reviewing the field trial results before making them public. He assured stakeholders of plans to engage with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the Fertilizer Producers & Suppliers Association of Nigeria (FEPSAN), and other partners to drive adoption.
Government and private sector interventions
The Federal Government, in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB), the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN), and the Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN), aims to achieve 800,000 tonnes of wheat production. Last year, the government temporarily removed tariffs on wheat and other essential commodities, leading to a 139% increase in cultivated land from 115,909 hectares to 277,577 hectares.
A recent satellite mapping study, conducted under the AfDB’s National Agricultural Scheme – Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), revealed that wheat farming has expanded across 15 Northern states, including Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara.
FMAN’s role in expanding wheat farming
Under the Nigerian Wheat Expansion Project, FMAN is collaborating with IDH, an international social enterprise, to enhance wheat production. Over three years, FMAN aims to support 25,000 farmers—comprising 5,000 block farmers and 20,000 smallholder farmers—across Jigawa, Kano, Bauchi, and Sokoto. FMAN plans to procure 99,450 metric tonnes of wheat grain, with 54,450 tonnes sourced from block farmers and 45,000 tonnes from non-block farmers.
Additionally, FMAN will distribute 20,000 tree seedlings to block farmers as part of its sustainability efforts.
According to Ishaku Buba, National Project Coordinator for NAGS-AP, the Federal Government’s wheat production initiative for the 2024/2025 dry season is underway in 16 wheat-producing states. The goal is to engage 280,000 farmers, with current figures showing that over 279,000 farmers have already been reached, producing an estimated 837,891 metric tonnes.
Buba projected that increased wheat production could generate over ₦1.25 trillion, with more than 647,500 farmers registered on the NAGS-AP platform. He emphasised that ongoing ICT-supported frameworks will ensure effective implementation and accountability.
With rising market prices, Nigeria is ramping up efforts to boost wheat production through research, specialised fertiliser adoption, and government-private sector collaborations. These interventions could significantly reduce reliance on costly imports, stabilise bread prices, and strengthen food security in the long run.
