West Africa Looks To Nigeria For Leadership In Achieving Wheat Independence

West Africa Looks To Nigeria For Leadership In Achieving Wheat Independence....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

West and Central Africa are ramping up their efforts to attain wheat self-sufficiency as the Second Regional Summit on Wheat Production in West Central Africa convenes in Abuja on October 2-3, 2024. The summit brings together representatives from various countries, including Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad, to discuss the urgent need for improved agricultural capacity in the region…….CONTINUE READING 

During a pre-conference press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday, Prof. Benjamin Ubi, the Regional Coordinator for West and Central Africa Wheat, emphasized the importance of implementing strategic policies. “This summit represents a critical step in our shared mission to enhance food security and drive economic growth in our region,” he stated.

Currently, Nigeria imports approximately six million metric tonnes of wheat annually, costing around $3 billion. “If we were to allocate even half of this amount toward research and development, we could not only sustain our wheat production but also have a surplus for export,” he noted.

The ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly the Russia-Ukraine conflict, have further exposed the vulnerabilities within global food supply chains. Ubi highlighted the necessity for regional cooperation, asserting, “We must collaborate to mitigate vulnerabilities in our food supply chain and ensure food sovereignty.” He urged for the adoption of national wheat strategies across the region.

Baba-Gana Kabir, Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute, echoed the call for government support in agricultural initiatives. “The Federal Government of Nigeria has shown commitment to reducing food imports and achieving self-sufficiency in food production. We encourage a faster implementation of the wheat roadmap and support for our research efforts,” he said.

Kabir outlined several critical interventions needed for success, including the establishment of a strong extension system to disseminate research findings to farmers, increased mechanization to enhance efficiency, and greater funding for agricultural research. “A robust extension system is essential for achieving self-sufficiency in wheat production,” he emphasized.

For more information on this article and other related posts from Bushradiogist, please join our WhatsApp channel by clicking this link https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaUumOODTkK7AZL1Fw3o. For advertisement inquiries only, kindly send a message to 090 1907 0863 on WhatsApp.