Nigeria has achieved a significant milestone in agricultural innovation with the successful development of a wet-season (rainfed) wheat variety.
This advancement, pioneered by researchers at the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), represents a pivotal moment in the federal government’s strategy to attain self-reliance in grain production.
In 2023, the institute introduced two new wheat strains, LACRIWHIT-8 (Crow’s) and LACRIWHIT-7 (Reyna15), specifically bred for cultivation during the rainy season in the cooler, wetter regions of Plateau, Taraba, and Cross River States.
Historically, wheat farming in Nigeria was predominantly limited to the dry season, relying heavily on irrigation systems to sustain crop growth.
Abubakar Kyari, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, emphasized that this breakthrough aims to extend the wheat growing period and significantly cut down Nigeria’s dependence on imported wheat.
Announcing the development at the second national Rainfed Wheat Farmers’ Field Day held in Kuru, Jos, Plateau State, Kyari hailed the innovation as a game-changer for Nigeria’s agricultural landscape and economic stability.
He highlighted that these climate-adapted rainfed wheat varieties will enable expanded cultivation across suitable ecological zones, reduce import costs, and provide lucrative opportunities for local farmers.
“The successful introduction of rainfed wheat cultivation in Kuru marks a transformative shift. Wheat farming is no longer restricted to irrigated areas,” Kyari stated.
He further explained that farmers in the elevated terrains of Jos, Mambila, and Obudu-covering Plateau, Taraba, and Cross River States-can now grow wheat naturally during the rainy season in a sustainable and profitable manner.
“This breakthrough paves the way for Nigeria to meet its wheat demand through domestic production on native soil,” the minister added, describing the achievement as a significant stride toward national food and nutrition security.
In a formal statement from the Department of Information, signed by Ezeaja Ikemefuna, the minister praised the Lake Chad Research Institute for its scientific excellence and innovative spirit in developing these rainfed wheat varieties, underscoring Nigeria’s capacity for agricultural research and development.
“The President understands that true sovereignty is unattainable without food self-sufficiency, youth employment, and wealth creation from agriculture. Consequently, agriculture has been elevated from a mere development agenda to a presidential priority, fueling food security, economic diversification, and inclusive growth,” Kyari remarked.
The minister outlined the government’s broad agricultural revitalization plan, which includes mechanization, enhanced access to quality inputs, expanded credit facilities, improved post-harvest management, and strategic partnerships aimed at boosting productivity throughout the agricultural value chain.
Through partnerships with development organizations, private investors, and state governments, the government is scaling rainfed wheat cultivation from experimental plots to hundreds of thousands of hectares nationwide. This initiative ensures farmers receive certified seeds, modern mechanized equipment, and dependable market access to make wheat farming both profitable and sustainable.
Kyari also detailed key elements of the Renewed Hope Agenda in agriculture, such as deploying over 2,000 tractors and harvesters, providing affordable financing to farmers and agribusinesses, recapitalizing the Bank of Agriculture, and activating the National Agricultural Development Fund to foster innovation and rural entrepreneurship.
