FG unveils rainfed wheat varieties to boost local production, cut import

Abubakar Kyari, minister of Agriculture and Food Security, says Nigeria’s new climate-resilient rainfed wheat varieties will boost local production, reduce import costs, and strengthen food security.

Speaking at the Second National Rainfed Wheat Farmers’ Field Day in Kuru, Jos, Plateau State over the weekend, Kyari described the development as transformative, noting that wheat cultivation is no longer limited to irrigated areas.

He said farmers in Plateau, Taraba, and Cross River States can now grow wheat sustainably during the rainy season, a move that could help the country meet its domestic demand.

Kyari commended the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) for developing the varieties and reaffirmed President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to making agriculture central to Nigeria’s economic transformation.

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He noted that the Federal Government is expanding mechanization, financing, and partnerships to scale up rainfed wheat farming across the country. Over 2,000 tractors have been deployed under the Renewed Hope Mechanization Initiative, while the recapitalized Bank of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Development Fund will provide financing for farmers.

Kyari urged stakeholders and private investors to support the expansion of rainfed wheat cultivation, reduce import dependence, and make Nigeria a future exporter of quality wheat, a statement by the ministry informed.

Ruth Tene Natsa

Ruth Tene, Assistant Editor, Agric/Solid Minerals/INEC Ruth Tene is an award-winning journalist with over 15 years experience in developmental reporting across several newsrooms, as a reporter, editor and other managerial roles. She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism from the University of Maiduguri among several other certifications She has attended several trainings and certifications both locally and internationally and has been recognized for her impactful work in humanitarian reporting, receiving the Gold Award for Humanitarian Services from the Amazing Grace Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Home Alliance Fellowship, reflecting her commitment to fostering a more humane, safer and more sustainable planet. An active member of professional journalism bodies, Ruth is affiliated with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), the National Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), and the Agricultural Correspondents Association of Nigeria (ACAN), where she continues to advocate for excellence, ethical reporting, and development-focused journalism.