From 5 to 11 States into Wheat Production - Gov Atiku Bagugu

The Acting President Yemi Osinbajo, on Monday met with the Presidential Task Force on Rice and Wheat‎ Production, to review factors mitigating against self-sufficiency.

Recall that they were inaugurated last year June by the federal government to make Nigeria self sufficient in rice and wheat and step up current efforts to produce those commodities in the country.

The Governor of Kebbi State, Atiku Bagugu said the meeting reviewed the rice and wheat programme, observing that compared to last year where only five states went into wheat production, 11 states have joined this year.

“This is the meeting of Presidential Task Force on Rice and wheat and we reviewed the wheat programme and what we can do more to support states in order to increase production of wheat. And to ensure that our farmers who have responded to the call are supported in terms of getting good price for their output in order to sustain their interests.

“We reviewed where we are with rice production, the Acting President noted with satisfaction all the efforts by different stakeholders to attain sufficiency in the shortest possible time.

“The Acting President assured the meeting that the Federal Government will continue to support the drive towards self sufficiency in food security. He said the government out of necessity will support the farmers, the millers and other stakeholders involved in the value change‎”.

In attendance were the Ministers of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Audu Ogbeh and Finance, Kemi Adeosun. Also in attendance were the state governors of Kano, Abdullahi Ganduje, Kebbi, Abubakar Bagudu, Jigawa, Badaru Abubakar and Ebonyi, Dave Umahi as well as the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emiefele.

Other members of the Task Force are ‎the President of Wheat Farmers Association and President of the Rice Farmers Association.