The Federal Government has announced plans to generate over ₦1.25 trillion in revenue from wheat production by 2025 under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-pocket Project (NAGS-AP). This initiative aims to enhance food security by providing subsidized agricultural inputs to registered farmers nationwide.
Speaking at a media workshop in Abuja titled “Building Partnerships with the Media for Food Security,” Ishaku Buba, National Project Coordinator of NAGS-AP, revealed that the 2024/2025 dry season wheat production program has commenced in 16 states, targeting 280,000 farmers. To date, over 279,000 farmers have participated, yielding an estimated 837,891 metric tons of wheat.
“We aim to significantly increase wheat production, with revenues projected to exceed ₦1.25 trillion,” Buba stated. The program operates through 409 redemption centers and a network of agro-dealers for input distribution across selected states.
So far, 647,500 farmers have registered on the NAGS-AP platform, with more than 628,000 benefitting from inputs for crops like wheat and rice. The initiative is expanding to include both dry and wet season farming activities nationwide. Buba highlighted the program’s 97% success rate during the 2023/2024 dry season, which supported over 118,000 farmers across 15 states.
Dr. Marcus Ogunbiyi, Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized the media’s crucial role in promoting food security by educating farmers on modern farming techniques and agricultural inputs. “The press has the power to shift narratives, encouraging Nigerians to embrace agriculture. Together, we can achieve food security, create jobs, and enhance livelihoods,” Ogunbiyi stated.
Similarly, Dr. Joel Oruché, Director of the Department of Information, called for stronger collaboration between the media and the Ministry. “Your role is vital in informing the public about policies and programs that benefit smallholder farmers. Together, we can ensure they receive the resources needed to thrive,” he concluded.
The Federal Government’s commitment to boosting wheat production through the NAGS-AP initiative underscores its efforts to strengthen Nigeria’s agricultural sector and achieve long-term food security.
