The Federal Government, in collaboration with the Cross River State Government, has announced agricultural input subsidies to help 500 farmers produce 500 metric tonnes of wheat in Obudu Local Government Area.
Senator Abubakar Kyari, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, made the announcement during a distribution event in Obudu on Saturday.
Each of the 500 farmers received essential inputs, including fertilizers, seeds and agrochemicals. Kyari explained that the inputs were subsidized with 75% of the costs covered by the Federal Government and 25% by the Cross River State Government, reducing the financial burden on farmers.
Represented by Mr. Jessem Ubi, Managing Director of the Ministry of Agriculture, Kyari stated that the wheat cultivation initiative is part of the National Agricultural Growth and Agro-Pocket Plan (NAGS-AP). He revealed that the federal government allocated £167 million for the 500 Obudu farmers, while the Cross River State Government contributed £56 million, according to their respective shares in the funding.
“This financial support also includes land preparation costs for wheat farmers, who are expected to cultivate one hectare each,” Kyari added.
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The state government plans to expand wheat cultivation from 500 hectares to 3,000 hectares by July 2025.
Special Adviser to the Governor on Agriculture, Prof. John Shiyam, mentioned that the 500 hectares currently cultivated by farmers are expected to be harvested within 85 to 90 days. He also highlighted the important efforts made in terms of raking and irrigation.
“Many farmers found it difficult to meet the 25% requirement, which is why the state government intervened,” Shiyam explained.
He further said, “We have also made arrangements to cultivate an additional 3,000 hectares during the rainy season. The current 500 hectares are being managed through irrigation, despite the associated challenges.”
On market opportunities for wheat, the governor's advisor noted that a flour mill in Calabar previously supplied wheat from as far away as Kano and other northern states. Additionally, there is interest from Nigeria Brewery.
Alina Peters, president of the state chapter of the wheat farmers' association, added that each member received two bags of fertilizer and improved wheat seeds from the federal government. He also acknowledged the support of the state governor in providing assistance with plowing and raking land.