Members of the Flour Millers Association of Nigeria have decried about N2 trillion yearly losses incurred on the importation of wheat from Canada, the United States, Mexico and other countries.
FMAN made the disclosure at the 2022 edition of the annual Wheat Farmers Greenfield Day, organised by the association, on Tuesday, in one of the largest wheat farms in Zindi, Misau LGA of Bauchi State.
According to the National President of FMAN, Alhaji Salim A. Salim, wheat farmers in the country have not been able to meet up the demands, as Nigeria is one of the top consumers of the commodity. Calling for increased wheat farming, Salim stressed that the importation of wheat has a negative impact on Nigeria’s economic growth, costing the nation N2 trillion annually.
Salim advised that if Nigeria can get serious with wheat production, “we will save money and make our farmers wealthy. We need to concentrate on farming wheat to meet up with our local demand.”
Applauding the Central Bank of Nigeria’s agricultural initiative – Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, the FMAN president explained that the scheme aided in boosting wheat farming and production in 15 Northern states. He urged more farmers to key into the initiative and participate in the program to boost wheat production in the country, significantly reducing the level of importation.
Salim also assured the farmers that their products will be purchased directly by FMAN association members. He added that presently, there are 27 demonstration wheat farms in 7 Local Government Areas across Bauchi state.
Wheat is a popular commodity in Nigeria as an estimated 75 million food portions consumed daily in Nigerian homes are wheat derivatives. Food products such as semolina, bread, noodles, and pasta among others are produced from wheat flour. They form a regular part of meals in most urban and rural households across the country.
On his part, the state governor, Senator Bala Mohammed Abdulkadir, represented by the Commissioner of Agriculture and Rural Development, Tula Mbami commended the Anchor Borrowers’ Programme, funded by the CBN. While declaring the programme opened in Bauchi, Mohammed stated that if well implemented, the country will benefit from growth in food production and security, while imports will be reduced.
The governor said his administration is ready to support agricultural development, as it has invested much in the sector, through the procurement of improved seedlings, pesticides, chemicals and other farming implements. He advised the farmers to reciprocate the government’s efforts by committing to increasing wheat production.
He said, “Bauchi State has been in the forefront of wheat production over the years. We are ready to do that again as can be seen here in Zindi wheat farm.”