The Flour Milling Association of Nigeria announced on Wednesday that all of the wheat produced in Nigeria is now being purchased by its members.
According to The Punch, it claimed that this had given wheat growers all around the country a guaranteed market.
FMAN said that it had contributed roughly N200 million to the country’s effort to encourage the production of high-quality grains, and urged the federal government to fund some crucial infrastructure.
The FMAN’s Executive Secretary, Olalekan Saliu, made the announcement at the unveiling of some laboratory equipment donated to the Nigeria Agricultural Seeds Council by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa and the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria, led by Flour Mill Nigeria Limited, among others, in Abuja.
He stated, “We began participating in the growth of Nigeria’s wheat value chain since 2016 when we inked an irrevocable agreement with Nigerian wheat farmers pledging to purchase all of the wheat grains they produce in Nigeria that match specific requirements.
“We have been doing it without disappointing the farmers, and they are extremely happy with us since they have a guaranteed market. You cannot, however, produce wheat without additional ancillary services and support.
“There are two factors that are crucial for the development of wheat in Nigeria. The first is having enough irrigated land, and here is where the government comes in. There isn’t much of a place for the private sector in this. Yes, we have a part to play, but irrigation and dams are the primary infrastructure.”
Saliu argued that the government ought to reactivate all of the country’s inoperative dams.
“We can give water pumps to farmers in large numbers and have done so,” he said. That is all we are capable of doing. We are unable to supply irrigation systems and dams, which are essential infrastructure.
“If we’re going to develop wheat in Nigeria, we need to deal with this important issue. Have we got a suitable, heat-resistant variety? You are wasting your time if you don’t have this.”
He also claimed that during the most recent wet season, the flour milling association hired seven of the leading seed businesses to grow seeds for FMAN.
He asserted that “the private sector must participate; the government cannot do it alone. You can’t advance if you don’t have enough high-quality seeds. This laboratory fills that need. Over the last three years, we have invested close to N200m in creating this.”
The NASC’s interim director-general, Ishiak Khalid, stated that the flour millers have consistently backed the council in ensuring the availability of high-quality planting materials for agricultural and industrial uses, particularly along the wheat value chain.
“They have helped the NASC by ensuring that its wheat out growers have access to high-quality certified seeds,” according to Saliu.
He continued, “A three-year Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the NASC and FMAN. This MoU is designed to promote the wheat value chain and guarantee that its wheat out-growers have access to high-quality, certified seeds.
“The NASC received three brand-new Toyota Hilux vehicles for its operations at the start of the collaboration and as part of the MOU, which was a first for the NASC.”
