Farmers laud FG’s intervention in wheat cultivation, processing in Gombe
Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria in Gombe has lauded Federal Government’s agricultural intervention in wheat production and processing in the state.
The association’s Chairman, Mr Lawan Garba, gave the commendation in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday in Gombe.
Garba said that the farmers’ support programmes initiated by the Federal Government had bolstered wheat cultivation in the country.
He said that prior to the intervention, wheat farmers in the state were finding it difficult to access genuine seeds.
The chairman said that the Federal Government’s support for dry season farmers to cultivate more than 8, 014 hectares of land in Nov. 2024 would greatly contributed to food security in the state.
Garba said that the intervention had encouraged many farmers who had abandoned the cultivation of wheat to return to their farms, especially with the input subsidy initiated by President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“Previously, wheat farmers suffered as a result of lack of improved seeds and mechanisation, but through the effort of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, the story is changing.
“Enhancing wheat production in Nigeria is crucial in reducing the country’s dependence on imports, ensuring food security and promoting sustainable agriculture.
“This is why we are happy with what the Federal Government is doing in terms of support to enhance wheat production which will create jobs and ensure food security.’’
Garba said that the association in the state, with membership strength of more than 12, 000, had the capacity to produce wheat to meet the country’s demand if support from the Federal Government was sustained and enhanced.
He also commended the government for establishing a cottage industry in the state to process wheat into flour and spaghetti.
Garba said that the installation of the facility was done by President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, but awaiting additional equipment to commence operations.
“We are happy that the officials of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security have visited and assured that the facility will be operationalised this year as provision has been made for that in 2025 budget,” he said.
According to him, a minimum of 250 bags of wheat will be processed from the facility when it starts operation.
Garba said the facility, when operational, would create jobs as well as drop the prices of wheat in the country.
He appealed to the state government to complement efforts of the Federal Government in wheat production by granting input subsidy to farmers.
The chairman urged the state government to build irrigation systems and promote water-efficient practices to enhance farmers’ ability to cultivate wheat throughout the year.
