Nigeria leads effort to achieve wheat self-sufficiency in West Africa

West and Central African nations are intensifying efforts towards wheat self-sufficiency, with the Second Regional Summit on Wheat Production taking place in Abuja, Nigeria, from October 2-3, 2024. The summit brought together representatives from Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad, and other countries to address the urgent need to enhance regional agricultural capabilities, crucial for food security and economic stability.

Prof. Benjamin Ubi, Regional Coordinator for West and Central Africa Wheat, emphasized the need for strategic policy implementation to achieve this goal. Currently, Nigeria imports around six million metric tonnes of wheat each year, spending roughly $3 billion—a significant drain on the nation’s resources. Ubi proposed that reallocating even half of this expenditure towards research and development could enhance domestic wheat production, potentially enabling surplus for export.

He also highlighted the impacts of recent geopolitical events, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict, which exposed vulnerabilities in global food supply chains. Ubi called for regional collaboration and the implementation of cohesive national wheat strategies to achieve food sovereignty and mitigate the risks of overreliance on imports.

Supporting these initiatives, Baba-Gana Kabir, Executive Director of the Lake Chad Research Institute, reiterated the need for stronger government backing. He highlighted that while the Nigerian government has pledged to reduce food imports and achieve food self-sufficiency, it must accelerate the implementation of the wheat roadmap and provide more substantial support for research. Kabir also pointed to the necessity of establishing a robust extension system to communicate research findings to farmers, enhancing mechanization for increased productivity, and securing additional funding for agricultural research as key interventions required for success.
Source- Punch

Expert Review for Agri-Food Stakeholders
The Abuja wheat summit serves as a critical turning point for the region’s quest for wheat self-sufficiency, especially given the vulnerabilities highlighted by recent global events. The overreliance on wheat imports, as shown by Nigeria’s annual $3 billion expenditure, presents a significant opportunity for transformation through domestic production.

Key recommendations for stakeholders include:
1. Policy Implementation and Investment in R&D: Allocating a portion of the funds currently used for wheat imports to research and development is a strategic investment in the region’s agricultural future. Strengthening R&D will not only reduce dependence on external sources but also build a resilient agri-food sector capable of withstanding global disruptions.

2. Strengthening Regional Cooperation: Food sovereignty requires collaboration across borders. Stakeholders must foster partnerships that promote technology sharing, joint research initiatives, and coordinated implementation of wheat production strategies. Regional cooperation could also facilitate collective bargaining, improved access to inputs, and harmonization of wheat quality standards.

3. Extension Services and Mechanization: To effectively translate research into increased production, a robust agricultural extension system is imperative. This system will ensure that farmers are equipped with the latest information and technologies. Moreover, increasing mechanization in wheat production will enhance efficiency and output, thereby making the sector more competitive and attractive for investment.

4. Government Support and Public-Private Partnerships: Governmental commitment to reducing wheat imports must be matched with action. Establishing favorable policies, securing funding for research institutions, and encouraging public-private partnerships are vital. The involvement of private stakeholders can bring about the necessary innovation, investment, and expertise to scale wheat production sustainably.

5. Adapting to Climatic and Regional Specificities: Considering that wheat is not traditionally a staple crop in many West and Central African nations, careful attention must be paid to crop adaptation efforts. Leveraging indigenous knowledge and regional agro-climatic expertise will be essential in ensuring the success of wheat production programs.

This summit underscores the importance of a multi-pronged approach, integrating policy, research, infrastructure, and collaboration. Stakeholders, particularly those in agribusiness, have a unique opportunity to invest in and shape a future that prioritizes food security, sustainability, and regional resilience.