By Doris Esa
The West and Central Africa Wheat Development Network (WECAWheat), says it is intensifying efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production in the region.
Prof. Benjamin Ubi, Regional Coordinator of WECAWheat, stated this at a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
He said that the Second Regional Summit on Wheat Production in West Central Africa would hold from Oct. 2 to 3 in Abuja.
Ubi underscored the urgency of strategic policy implementation in wheat production in the region.
“This gathering marks a crucial milestone in our collective efforts to promote food security and economic growth in our region,” he said.
He said that Nigeria currently imports approximately six million metric tonnes of wheat annually.
“Imagine if we allocated half of this amount to research and development, we could sustain our wheat production and even export surplus,” he said.
He said that the recent geo-political tensions, notably the Russia-Ukraine conflict, has further highlighted the vulnerabilities in global food supply chains.
Ubi stressed the need for regional cooperation.
“We must work together to avoid vulnerabilities in our food supply chain and ensure food sovereignty,” he said.
Ubi called for the implementation of national wheat strategies in the region.
Prof. Baba-Gana Kabir, Executive Director, Lake Chad Research Institute, reiterated the call for government support in agricultural initiatives.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria has expressed commitment to reducing food importation and achieving self-sufficiency in food production.
” We urge them to speed up implementation of the wheat roadmap and support our research efforts,” he said.
Kabir emphasised on key interventions required to upscale wheat production in the region
He said these include the establishment of a robust extension system to relay research findings to farmers, increased mechanisation to boost efficiency, and enhanced funding for agricultural research.
“To achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production, we need a robust extension system,” he said.
