Nigeria targets wheat production to strengthen naira, boost economy

The Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Mohammad Abubakar, has identified wheat production as a potential game-changer for Nigeria’s struggling economy, targeting over 2 million tonnes across 19 northern states.

Represented by his Senior Special Adviser on Food Security, Adewoye Adeyemi, the minister made this disclosure during an on-the-spot assessment of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket Programme in Dadin Kowa, Yamaltu Deba Local Government Area of Gombe State, on Thursday.

The minister explained that the initiative aims to reduce wheat importation, boost exportation, and strengthen the country’s currency.

The minister further stated that the focus would not be limited to wheat alone but would leverage the comparative advantages of different regions.

He identified transportation as a major cause of the high cost of food in the country, stressing that by the time the CNG centre is established, it would help to solve the problem.

As of today, we have 150 centres in Nigeria before this year runs out we are adding 40 by the time we have CNG converting centres and CNG filling stations.

“The elephant of inflation would have gone down by February we will have one in Gombe, and I’m coming with them to participate in the negotiation of the CNG centre and with that prices of food will drop.

Globalpose.