Nigeria's wheat production has seen a remarkable increase, soaring from 120,000 metric tonnes to 420,000 metric tonnes annually. This surge is credited to the implementation of the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), part of President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda.

Prof. Ademola Adenle, the Senior Special Adviser on Agriculture and Innovation to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, shared these developments during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Abuja. He highlighted that the NAGS-AP initiative aims to bridge food supply gaps and achieve national food sovereignty by providing subsidised, high-quality agricultural inputs directly to smallholder farmers.

Adenle emphasized that the initiative is crucial for enhancing farmers' access to essential inputs necessary for boosting productivity. Key components of this transformation include fertilisers, improved seeds, and vital extension services. "The whole idea is to provide inputs to farmers, such as fertilisers, chemicals and good essential services, through agro-dealers," he stated.

The impact of NAGS-AP has been significant, with a 300 per cent increase in wheat production reported. Adenle noted that prior to the implementation of this scheme, wheat production stood at around 120,000 metric tonnes annually. With the new inputs and support, wheat farmers are now producing 420,000 metric tonnes each year, marking a substantial achievement in the agricultural sector.

Looking ahead, the Ministry of Agriculture plans to initiate reforms targeting various aspects of the agricultural landscape, aiming to strengthen the entire system. Adenle pointed out that Nigeria's agricultural productivity has been hampered by the outdated Land Use Act of 1978, which centralizes land control with state governments and complicates access for smallholder farmers.

"We are going to address the issue of the Land Use Act, which is one of the structural problems of the agricultural sector in Nigeria," he explained. Currently, smallholder farmers typically cultivate between 0.5 to 2 hectares of land, which limits their production capacity.

The upcoming reforms are expected to address challenges across the agricultural value chain, from production to processing and distribution. Adenle believes that these changes will enhance productivity and increase farmers' incomes, ultimately contributing to the overall growth of Nigeria's agricultural sector.