Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno State on Saturday flagged off the distribution of Federal Government–provided agricultural inputs to wheat farmers for the 2025/2026 dry season farming.
The launch, held at the Jere Bowl in Dusuman, Jere Local Government Area, marked the commencement of the Federal Government’s intervention to boost wheat cultivation nationwide.
The items distributed included high-yield seedlings, blended fertilizers, tractors and pesticides.
The initiative is being implemented under the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro-Pocket (NAGS-AP), a flagship programme of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security aimed at empowering farmers and reducing the nation’s dependence on food imports.
Zulum said the programme aligns with his administration’s commitment to revitalizing the agricultural sector.
“Here in Borno State, wheat cultivation is not just a programme; it is a transformative initiative,” he said.
“Through targeted investments in irrigation, mechanization, quality inputs and extension services, we are equipping farmers to achieve higher yields, enhance productivity and contribute meaningfully to national output.”
He noted that the state had achieved significant milestones through its people-centred agricultural vision, with input support programmes reaching tens of thousands of smallholder farmers, resettled households, women and youth.
Zulum expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for prioritizing food security under the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“Mr President’s commitment to food security and national productivity provides the foundation upon which programmes like this are built,” he said.
He also commended the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, led by Minister Abubakar Kyari, for sustaining the programme and selecting Borno as a priority location for expanded wheat production.
Earlier, Kyari said 16 states would benefit from the NAGS-AP wheat component for the 2025/2026 season.
“The wheat component of the NAGS-AP programme covers 16 wheat-producing states—Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Cross River, Gombe, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Niger, Plateau, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe and Zamfara,” he said.
He added that the programme targets 80,000 registered farmers with an expected output valued at about N160 billion for the 2025/2026 season.
“Out of the 40,000 hectares earmarked for wheat production for the 2025/2026 dry season, 3,000 hectares have been allocated to Borno State, representing 6,000 wheat farmers,” the minister said.
Kyari noted that a second phase would follow, focusing on the cultivation of other priority value chains across the state.
