The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced an ambitious target to generate approximately N160 billion from wheat production during the 2025/2026 dry season as part of comprehensive efforts to enhance national food sovereignty and reduce dependency on imported grains.
Major Agricultural Initiative Launched
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, revealed this strategic plan during the official flag-off ceremony of the Subsidized Agricultural Inputs Distribution programme for the 2025/2026 dry season wheat production. The event took place under the National Agricultural Growth and Agro Pocket Project (NAGS-AP) in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State over the weekend.
According to a press release signed by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, Head of the Department of Information at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the government has allocated 40,000 hectares of land specifically for the upcoming dry season wheat cultivation. The programme has already registered 80,000 farmers nationwide to participate in this agricultural drive.
Building on Previous Success
Minister Kyari provided context by highlighting the remarkable progress achieved in previous dry season wheat production initiatives. "Under the 2023/2024 dry season wheat production programme, a total of 107,429 registered farmers were supported with critical subsidised inputs, resulting in an output valued at N474,628,000 billion," the Minister recalled.
He further noted that during the 2024/2025 dry season, the programme expanded significantly to support 279,297 registered farmers, generating an impressive output valued at N893,750,004 billion. The current target of N160 billion for the 2025/2026 season represents a strategic focus on optimizing production efficiency across fewer but more effectively supported farmers.
Comprehensive Support System
The NAGS-AP programme incorporates multiple layers of support to ensure success. Agricultural Extension Agents will be deployed to guide farmers on modern agronomic practices and provide continuous field-level advisory services. Additionally, Fertiliser and Seed Quality Control Officers will be mobilized to guarantee that all inputs distributed to farmers meet required standards, thereby ensuring higher productivity and improved yields.
"The success of any agricultural season depends on the quality of inputs that reach our farmers. Without certified seeds, accurate fertiliser blends, and timely access to crop protection products, no level of effort in the field can deliver the yields we require as a nation," Minister Kyari emphasized.
The Minister stressed that NAGS-AP places strong emphasis on input quality, traceability, and transparent delivery systems to ensure every farmer receives appropriate inputs at the right time for optimal productivity and better financial returns.
Geographical Expansion and Inclusion
The wheat component of the NAGS-AP programme now covers sixteen states across Nigeria:
- Adamawa
- Bauchi
- Borno
- Cross River
- Gombe
- Kaduna
- Kano
- Kebbi
- Niger
- Plateau
- Sokoto
- Taraba
- Yobe
- Zamfara
Notably, the inclusion of Cross River State last year marked a significant expansion of wheat production into southern Nigeria for the first time, strengthening national capacity to diversify production across different ecological zones.
The programme is deliberately designed to be inclusive, ensuring that women and young people, who play vital roles in Nigeria's agricultural workforce, have equitable access to inputs, training, and opportunities. "NAGS-AP is deliberately designed to leave no one behind," Minister Kyari affirmed.
State-Level Commitment and Support
Of the 40,000 hectares allocated for wheat production this dry season, Borno State has received 3,000 hectares with 6,000 registered wheat farmers participating in the programme.
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Zulum, expressed appreciation for the Federal Government's continuous support toward irrigation development. He acknowledged that the President's commitment to food security and national productivity provides the foundation upon which programmes like NAGS-AP are built.
"Today is more than a ceremony; it is a celebration of hope, resilience, and our unwavering commitment to ensuring that no family in Borno State goes hungry and no farmer is left behind," Governor Zulum stated. "Despite the challenges of displacement, insecurity, and climate shocks, Borno State remains steadfast in growing its own food and empowering its people."
The Governor reaffirmed his administration's commitment to sustaining all-season farming through provision of essential infrastructure, logistics, modern machinery, improved seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and other inputs required to boost productivity and support farmers across the state.
On behalf of smallholder farmers, Alhaji Haruna Umaru pledged that farmers would ensure increased production aligned with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda in the agricultural sector.
The event culminated with the distribution of subsidized agricultural inputs to smallholder farmers, marking the practical commencement of the 2025/2026 dry season wheat production programme that aims to significantly enhance Nigeria's food sovereignty and reduce the nation's dependence on wheat imports.
