The introduction of climate-resilient rainfed wheat varieties will increase local production, reduce import costs, and enhance food according to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari.
Speaking at the Second National Rainfed Wheat Farmers’ Field Day held in Kuru, Jos, Plateau State, Kyari described the development as “nothing short of transformative.”
“The successful cultivation of rainfed wheat in Kuru means that wheat production is no longer confined to irrigated zones,” he said.
“Farmers in the highlands of Jos, Mambila, and Obudu — in Plateau, Taraba, and Cross River States, respectively — can now grow wheat during the rainy season naturally, sustainably, and profitably.
“This innovation opens the door to a future where Nigeria’s wheat demand can be met by our own farmers and grown on our own soil.”
The Minister noted that the milestone represents more than scientific progress, calling it “a bold step toward achieving food and nutrition security for our great nation.”
Kyari commended the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) for its groundbreaking work in developing the rainfed wheat varieties, describing the achievement as a testament to “Nigerian ingenuity and scientific excellence.”
Reaffirming President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s commitment to placing agriculture at the centre of national transformation, the Minister said the administration views agriculture as a cornerstone of economic growth and national security.
“The President recognises that no nation can be truly sovereign unless it can feed itself, employ its youth, and create prosperity from its land,” Kyari stated.
“Agriculture has therefore been elevated from a development programme to a presidential priority, driving food security, economic diversification, and inclusive growth.”
He added that the Federal Government is implementing a comprehensive agricultural renewal plan anchored on mechanisation, input access, credit expansion, post-harvest management, and strategic partnerships to enhance productivity across value chains.
Through collaborations with development partners, private investors, and state governments, Kyari said the ministry is scaling up rainfed wheat cultivation “from pilot fields like this into hundreds of thousands of hectares nationwide,” ensuring access to certified seeds, mechanisation services, and reliable markets to make wheat production profitable and sustainable.
Highlighting key aspects of the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda in agriculture, Kyari noted the deployment of over 2,000 tractors and combined harvesters nationwide under the Renewed Hope Mechanisation Initiative, as well as efforts to expand affordable financing through the recapitalised Bank of Agriculture (BoA) and the operationalisation of the National Agricultural Development Fund (NADF).
He called on partners, development agencies, private-sector players, and state governments to join hands with the Nigerian government in expanding the success of rainfed wheat cultivation.
“I invite you to join us in scaling up this success,” Kyari urged. “Together, we can build agro-industrial value chains that create jobs, reduce imports, boost national income, and move Nigeria from spending billions of naira on wheat imports to becoming self-sufficient — and ultimately, an exporter of quality Nigerian wheat.”