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FG Launches Brown Revolution Programme on Wheat

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From Jude Dangwam, Jos

President Muhammadu Buhari, yesterday flaged off the brown revolution programme of the Federal Government for mass production of wheat in the country.

The event took place at the CBN ABP Wheat Seed Multiplication Farm in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Buhari, who was represented by Governor Simon Lalong said the project will addressed the cost of importation of wheat into the country, which cost the Federal Government over 2 billion dollars annually.

 “Nigeria currently spends over $2 billion on the importation of wheat annually, one of the key contributors to the Nation’s huge foreign import bill.

This is because millers have had to resort to importing wheat to meet the huge demand for wheat by-products.

“Wheat cultivation, similar to rice has the capacity to thrive in Nigeria due to the tropical climatic conditions. Currently, wheat is cultivated in many Northern states particularly in the dry season due to the high heat tolerance of the seed utilized by farmers,” Buhari stated.

He disclosed that Agricultural sector is one of the critical non-oil sectors which have made significant contributions to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) accounting for a 22.35 and 23.78 percent contribution to the overall GDP in the first and second quarters of 2021.

CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele, represented by the Deputy Governor, Corporate Services Mr. Edward Lametak Adamu in his keynote address stressed that the strategy for the wheat value chain involves the “availability of high-yield seeds by financing seed multiplication and establishment of seed ripple centres.

“Expanding land under cultivation for wheat to a capacity that can meet total national demand through association and collaboration with relevant federal agencies and state governments;

pursuing strategic collaboration with key stakeholders in the wheat value chain for sustained local production,” Emefiele said.

Emefiele added that the strategy seeks to reduce wheat importation by 60% in two years and ultimately eliminate wheat importation or reduce it to an insignificant contributor to the country’s total food import bill.

“Today’s event is auspicious in a lot of ways as it heralds the commencement of the Brown Revolution Journey, our mantra for repositioning wheat production in Nigeria.

“It is also the first major wet season wheat production in Nigeria with about 700 hectares put under cultivation here in Kwall, Kassa, Jol, Kafi Abu and Sop in Jos, Plateau State.

“While the short-term implication of this is the addition of about 2,000 metric tons of seeds to our national seed stock, the country can now potentially add 750,000 metric tons of wheat to the nation’s output annually through rain-fed wheat cultivation in Plateau, Mambilla Plateau and Obudu Plateau.

“The CBN will not rest on its oars as we continue to work with our partners, Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), to expand the frontiers of wheat production in Nigeria to areas like northern Oyo, Kogi and Kwara states.

“The wheat fields you are seeing here today are historic and further underscore the enormous potentials in our agricultural landscape. We are hopeful that with the right technology and agronomic practices, we can change the narratives and develop two (2) wheat cropping cycles to support an aggressive drive to bridge the wheat demand-supply gap in Nigeria.”

Emefiele said even though the efforts is still in its early days, “the CBN has achieved the following feats in the wheat value chain added about 20,000MT of high yielding wheat seed variety to the stock of national seed supply.

“Trained over 100 senior extension service officers on new technologies for wheat cultivation, designed a strategy for self-sufficiency in wheat production,” he explained.

The CBN Governor commended the government and the good people of Plateau State for their relentless support to the project.

“The Plateau State Government has once again demonstrated the beauty inherent in Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with the provision of a conducive environment for our anchors to grow wheat.

“Such collaboration has unlocked the potentials for increasing private sector investment in the State as we take steps to add to the hectarages to be financed during the next planting season. We also intend to explore opportunities for additional land in the State for commercial wheat production,” he stated.

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Agriculture

Nigeria Misses out on $180bn Global Cassava Processing Market

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By Torough David , Abuja

With a current production capacity of 62.69 million and holding the position of the largest producer of cassava in the world, Nigeria is missing out of the $180 billion global cassava processing market.

The country’s cassava value chain, although hampered by local consumption, has the potential to drive economic growth and attract foreign investments.

Stakeholders in the value chain say that with improved yield, provision of credits for farmers and accessibility of lands, the country could tap into the $180 billion processed market.

The conversion of fermented cassava into high-quality products—such as High-Quality Cassava Flour (HQCF), cassava starch, bioethanol, and sweeteners (glucose and sorbitol) — could aid in cushioning forex scarcity in Nigeria.

“Nigeria, as the world’s largest cassava producer, generates approximately 18 percent of global cassava output but captures merely 2 percent of the crop’s vast $180 billion global processing market,” said Olayinka David-West, dean of Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University.

David-West reiterated that despite cassava’s substantial production scale—feeding millions daily through staple foods like Garri and fufu and sustaining the livelihoods of approximately 14 million smallholder farmers—over 90 percent of Nigeria’s cassava harvest remains relegated to low-value and food-grade uses.

“This significantly constrains farmer incomes and limits broader economic impact,” she added.

Escalating global demand for industrial cassava products offers Nigeria a significant market opportunity to expand beyond traditional uses, she says.

According to the International Trade Centre, global cassava derivative exports have grown over 20 percent annually in recent years, underscoring robust international demand for industrial cassava products.

Meanwhile, Olayinka Majekodunmi, partner at Boston Consulting Group, emphasised that cassava in its HQCF form serves as a strategic alternative to imported wheat flour, essential for Nigeria’s bakery and snack sectors.

This is imperative as Nigeria imports 98 percent of its wheat needs, amounting to an average of $2 billion annually.

“HQCF presents substantial import substitution potential, potentially unlocking a $600 million market. Currently, utilisation remains low at 5 percent, yet scaling to 20 percent is achievable, given existing facilities are underutilised by approximately 50 percent,” he said.

On the investment opportunities in cassava starch, he explained that it is commonly used in paper, textile and pharmaceutical industries.

“Domestic production significantly lags demand, which grows at approximately 5.2 percent annually, representing a substantial market gap. Capturing this gap could realistically secure an additional $485 million, bolstering local manufacturing capabilities.”

But to conveniently tap into this pool of wealth, stakeholders argue that production must first of all be ramped up.

How production can be bolstered

Although current cassava yields average 6 tons per hectare compared to a global benchmark of 25 tons per hectare. The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) estimates that bridging this yield gap could boost production by an additional 11 million metric tons.

“Key investments are needed in superior, disease-resistant varieties, mechanization, agronomic training, and post-harvest handling improvements to reduce losses,” David-West said.

She said cassava processing costs in Nigeria remain high, often quadrupling in off-grid areas due to unreliable power supply.

Hence, most processing facilities operate 50 percent below capacity, further lowering efficiency.

According to her, this calls for strategic investments in modern processing technologies, renewable energy infrastructure, and agro-industrial clusters.

Echoing her words, Majekodunmi said access to affordable finance remains a major challenge. He urged the development of tailored financial instruments such as patient capital and concessional loans, coupled with securing long-term off-take agreements, which will mitigate risks.

Stakeholders believe that the country has what it takes to drive value addition in the sector, but it requires intentional efforts to bolster yield per hectare and production capacity.

Key industrial derivatives

Among cassava derivatives, four key products present immediate high-growth opportunities, collectively representing a market of approximately $2 billion:

High-Quality Cassava Flour

HQCF serves as a strategic alternative to imported wheat flour, essential for Nigeria’s bakery and snack sectors.

With Nigeria importing roughly 98 percent of its wheat consumption—valued at approximately $2 billion annually—HQCF presents substantial import substitution potential, potentially unlocking a $600 million market.

Currently, utilization remains low at 5 percent, yet scaling to 20 percent is achievable, given existing facilities are underutilized by approximately 50 percent.

Industrial starch: Widely used in sectors such as paper, textiles, pharmaceuticals, adhesives, and food additives, local cassava starch offers significant competitive advantages.

Domestic production significantly lags demand, which grows at approximately 5.2 percent annually, representing a substantial market gap.

Capturing this gap could realistically secure an additional $485 million, bolstering local manufacturing capabilities.

Sweeteners (Glucose and Sorbitol)

Nigeria’s rapidly growing sweetener market (18 percent annual growth) remains predominantly import-dependent (95 percent imported), driving up costs for manufacturers.

Cassava-based sweeteners offer a cost-effective alternative, priced considerably lower than imported sucrose.

Companies such as Coca-Cola have indicated strong interest in sourcing locally, underscoring this segment’s immediate scalability and representing a clear $500 million market opportunity.

Bioethanol

Nigeria imports about 26 percent of its ethanol for beverages, pharmaceuticals, and fuel blending, exposing the economy to price volatility.

Cassava-based bioethanol offers significant economic advantages, costing approximately $0.06 per liter less than imported ethanol.

Given Nigeria’s existing ethanol market valued at $420 million, substantial expansion opportunities exist for investors to scale local production.

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Agriculture

Don Pushes for Sustainable Environmental Practices

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A lecturer at Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, Prof. Wisdom Japhet has called on Nigerians to adopt practices that protect the environment and promote sustainable development.

Japhet made the call on Tuesday in Abuja on the sidelines of a training workshop on environmental standards.

The workshop was organized by the Sustainable Procurement Environmental and Social Standards Enhancement Centre of Excellence (SPESSECE ABU), in collaboration with the World Bank.

Japhet, who also serves as the Director of SPESSECE ABU, emphasised the importance of environmental awareness in developmental planning.

He said the goal of the training was to instill in participants the knowledge and capacity to integrate environmental considerations into development projects.

“The aim is to build capacity in the area of sustainable development.

“Every developmental activity must be sustainable. We are training participants to consider environmental impacts and provide consultancy for projects that may have negative consequences on the environment,” he said.

He added that certification in environmental management was becoming increasingly essential, as global standards now prioritise it.

“It’s very important for Nigerians to be both environmentally and socially aware. When you harm the environment, you harm people by extension,” Japhet stated.

He called on stakeholders in both public and private sectors to participate in the SPESSECE training and become certified.

According to him, the programme also equips participants with tools to anticipate environmental issues in projects, including planning for mitigation strategies.

“Most developmental activities have some environmental impact, and if those are not addressed, they cannot be considered sustainable. We must develop, but not at the expense of the environment,” he said.

On the issue of noise pollution, Japhet noted that everyone had a role to play in protecting the environment.

Also speaking, Dr Soala Martyns-Yellowe, an environmental practitioner, said that the SPESSECE project aimed to improve Nigeria’s capacity to manage environmental, social, and procurement standards.

He said the initiative was crucial as Nigeria strived to meet its development goals.

“The idea is to mainstream environmental and social frameworks into national systems,” he said.

Martyns-Yellowe urged relevant agencies to intensify awareness campaigns about the dangers of noise pollution and enforce existing regulations to mitigate its effects.

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Agriculture

Ondo to Partner FUTA on Wildlife Conservation

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The Ondo State Government said it will partner with the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), on the restoration and development of OSSE River Park to international standards for eco-tourists attraction.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Segun Odusanya stated this during a meeting with the Department of Forestry and Wood Technology and Department of Ecotourism and Wildlife Management of the institution.

Odusanya, who said that there was a need to partner national and international organisations, explained that the state government welcomed technical and logistic support to enhance the park’s restoration and conservation.

“The OSSE River Park is the state’s only conservation park which provides a habitat for wild animals, but it requires attention due to human activities,” he said.

Also, Mr Olushola Ibosiola, Director of Wildlife Conservation, Parks, and Ecotourism in the ministry, emphasised the importance of wildlife conservation and ecotourism, saying that the park covered 285.79 km²

According to him, the benefits of ecotourism include revenue generation, economic incentives, awareness, and research support.

Ibosiola, however, acknowledged the challenges of ensuring sustainable practices and balancing economic benefits with conservation goals.

Prof. Oluseyi Fabiyi and Prof. Adekunle Ogunjinmi, from the two departments in FUTA, expressed their willingness to collaborate with the government to harness the park’s potential.

The duo said the international bodies were willing to provide support for wildlife conservation and ecotourism development.

They promised to schedule a visit to assess the park’s condition and determine the level of intervention required.

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