Initiative Aims to Bolster Food Security, Cut Import Reliance
The Federal Government is projecting N160 billion in output value from the 2025/2026 dry season wheat production, a key step toward achieving food sovereignty and minimizing import dependency, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security.
Minister Abubakar Kyari announced the target during the launch of the Subsidised Agricultural Inputs Distribution program in Jere Local Government Area, Borno State, under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP) initiative.
Kyari disclosed that NAGS-AP has designated 40,000 hectares for cultivation, registering 80,000 farmers nationwide. Borno State receives 3,000 hectares and support for 6,000 farmers, leveraging irrigation in the region.
He highlighted past achievements: In the 2023/2024 season, 107,429 farmers were aided, yielding N474.628 billion; the 2024/2025 cycle supported 279,297 farmers for N893.75 billion. “For 2025/2026, we’re focusing on 80,000 farmers to hit N160 billion,” Kyari said.
The program deploys extension agents for modern farming techniques and quality control officers to verify seeds and fertilizers, ensuring optimal yields. It spans 16 states—Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara—with Cross River’s inclusion marking southern expansion.
Kyari stressed inclusivity: “NAGS-AP leaves no one behind, prioritizing women and youth in training and opportunities.” He underscored input quality: “Certified seeds, precise fertilizers, and timely crop protection are non-negotiable for national productivity.”
Borno Governor Babagana Zulum commended the federal push, noting the state’s vast irrigable lands in the Lake Chad Basin. “This is a celebration of hope and resilience amid challenges like insecurity and climate shocks,” he said, reaffirming commitments to infrastructure, machinery, and inputs for all-season farming. Zulum touted successes in aiding smallholders, resettled families, women, and youth.
Haruna Umaru, speaking for smallholder farmers, vowed to maximize productivity in line with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. The event culminated in distributing subsidized inputs to beneficiaries, signaling a robust start to the season.
