Flour Mills Association of Nigeria (FMAN) has supported over 8,000 farmers in Jigawa State to grow 5,000 hectares of wheat to boost local production and enhance national food security and self-reliance.
FMAN Wheat Development’s programme manager, Dr Samaila Aliyu revealed this while speaking at the “Green Field Day” organised for stakeholders to visit farms and engage directly with farmers.
He said the aim of the “Green Field Day” visit was for FMAN to showcase to stakeholders and the general public that wheat production is feasible and attainable in Nigeria, and with current developments in the sector, the country has all it takes to become self-sufficient in the nearest future.
“FMAN believes that with genuine commitment from all stakeholders, Nigeria can become a wheat exporter in the nearest future.
“FMAN is currently collaborating with farmers, governments, research institutes, traditional leaders, the media and general the public in supporting wheat production in 17 states of the federation.
“What we are seeing now at Yandutse village of Ringim local government of Jigawa State is clear evidence of FMAN’s efforts to encourage domestic wheat production for self-reliance, job creation, poverty eradication, growth and development,” he stated.
FMAN commended the Jigawa State governor, Malam Umar Namadi for his commitment in supporting wheat production in the state and Nigeria in general.
Chairman of Wheat Farmers Association, Jigawa State, Malam Mujtaba Bayi thanked FMAN for its support and intervention which encouraged many people to join wheat farming in the state and also contributed in making Jigawa State to become a leading wheat production state in Nigeria.
One of the women farmers in Yandutse village, Hajiya Naima Alhassan said, the FMAN support, which includes provision of improved/certified seeds, fertilisers, herbicides, insecticides and enlightenment on modern techniques of farming, has built her capacity to expand her production from less than a quarter hectare to one hectare now.
