Despite the clamour for the improvement of agriculture in Nigeria, the Federal government imported wheat worth N2.2 trillion in the last four years.
According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Nigeria has witnessed low wheat yields amidst declining production in the last ten years.
Within the period, the wheat area harvested reduced significantly. It also propelled the wheat yield to drop to the level of 10,678 hectograms per hectare in 2018, the lowest since 1991 and one of such decline ever.
Between 2010 to 2019, wheat production was also on free fall, dropping to the range of 60,000 tonnes per annual from 165,000 tonnes production capacity in 2011.
These staggering statistics (area farmed, yield, production) are the reasons why the country imported about 98 per cent of its total consumption. By implication, there are a vast population but less capacity to produce one of its significant interest crops.
Why so much dependence on import
Nigeria’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Mr Sabo Nanono, recently identified seeds’ unavailability as one major factor hampering investment and low production in the wheat value chain.
He, however, said the ministry would provide quality seeds and agricultural inputs to Nigerian farmers.
Challenges facing the value chain include limited access to improved seed varieties, high production cost, inadequate irrigation infrastructure, insufficient funding systems, lack of a cohesive national strategy on wheat development, and unclear role of government and other stakeholders.
These challenges factored in how Africa’s biggest economy managed to produce an average of 107,000 tonnes of wheat between 2001-2014. Africa produces more than 25 million tons of wheat on 10 million hectares of land area, per FAO.
Nigeria ranks low compared to other African peers in area harvested, yield, and production of wheat. While South Africa, Kenya and Ethiopia harvested hundreds of thousands of arable land, Nigeria only harvested on an average of 70,000 to 80,000 per annum.
What factors responsible for low local production. The reasons for low local production can be categorised into two main areas; technical and economic challenges.
Analysis of the FAO data for sub-Saharan Africa showed that these factors influence farmers’ low yields in Nigeria’s wheat market. In 2011, when Nigeria harvested 128,992 hectares, its recorded peak production levels at 165,000 tonnes.
On the technical side, farmers in Nigeria have limited access to improved seed varieties, fertilizers & chemicals, high cost of production, and inadequate irrigation infrastructure, often leading to low yields.
On the economic side, lack of investment opportunities, insufficient funding systems for research, and lack of a coordinated national strategy resulted in Nigeria’s dependence on imported wheat to meet its large population’s growing demands.
A Financial Derivatives Company’s report cited insecurity in Nigeria’s wheat belt, the lack of mechanized and modernized farming techniques, and uncompetitive pricing as challenges facing low wheat production.
Similarly, the International Food Policy Research Institute attributed a lack of policy support and support from international organisations to be responsible for low domestic production.
Low yield propels lack of investment
Despite the massive market for wheat in Nigeria, a perennial low yield often leads to low revenue and profits. This situation discourages the cultivation of wheat by farmers.
They instead divert their funds into more rewarding agricultural produce. Several reports, including direct comments from farmers, have decried the government’s lack of commitments as one significant factor.
Due to this, farmers have shifted focus towards the cultivation of rice, while bakers go after imported wheat because it is cheaper.