The Federal Government has projected an output value of N160 billion from wheat production in the 2025/2026 dry season as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen food sovereignty and reduce Nigeria's reliance on imports.
Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Sen. Abubakar Kyari, announced this on Saturday at the flag-off of the Subsidised Agricultural Inputs Distribution for the 2025/2026 dry season wheat programme under the National Agricultural Growth and Agro Pocket Project (NAGS-AP), held in Jere Local Government Area of Borno State.
Kyari said the Ministry has allocated 40,000 hectares and registered 80,000 farmers for the new production cycle, noting that Borno State alone received 3,000 hectares with 6,000 participating farmers.
Reviewing previous cycles, he said the 2023/2024 dry season programme supported 107,429 registered farmers with subsidised inputs, resulting in an output valued at N474.6 billion. During the 2024/2025 dry season, 279,297 farmers benefited, generating output valued at N893.7 billion.
For the current season, he said the government expects output to reach about N160 billion, supported by improved input delivery systems, field monitoring, and strengthened extension services.
Kyari added that NAGS-AP will deploy Agricultural Extension Agents to guide farmers on best agronomic practices, while fertiliser and seed quality control officers will ensure that inputs delivered meet approved standards for higher productivity.
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The minister said the wheat component of NAGS-AP now covers 16 states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, and Zamfara. He highlighted that the inclusion of Cross River in 2024 marked the first expansion of wheat cultivation into southern Nigeria, broadening ecological coverage.
"NAGS-AP is designed to leave no one behind. Farmers across communities — including women and youths — have equitable access to inputs, training, and opportunities," he said. "Input quality, traceability, and transparent delivery systems remain central to achieving better yields and profitability."
In his remarks, Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum, commended the federal government's investment in irrigation development, saying President Bola Tinubu's commitment to food security serves as the foundation for ongoing agricultural interventions.
Zulum described Borno — particularly the Lake Chad Basin — as one of Nigeria's most promising agricultural frontiers, adding that the state remains committed to all-season farming by providing machinery, improved seeds, fertilisers, agrochemicals, and logistics support to smallholder farmers.
He said thousands of farmers, resettled households, women, and youths have so far benefited from the state's input support programmes.
Responding on behalf of the farmers, Alhaji Haruna Umaru pledged smallholder farmers' commitment to boosting wheat production in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda for agriculture.
