Mr Shuaibu Hamza, the President of National Association of Wheat Farmers, Processors and Marketers of Nigeria (NAWFPMAN), says the association is mobilising members towards large scale production of the commodity henceforth.
Hamza made this known in Maiduguri on Friday during a visit to the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Umar-Garbai Elkanemi, who is the National Grand Patron of the association.
He said the association, which was formed to support and promote local production, processing and marketing of wheat, remained committed to Federal Government food security programme and boosting of export potential of wheat commodity.
“Wheat export will help preserve scarce foreign exchange and create gainful employment for our teeming youthful population.
“We intend to achieve these through provision of improved seed varieties, adoption of modern farm techniques, strategic access to finance and securing readily available market for our farmers.
“Creating research and sustainability policies as well as compilation of comprehensive data of farms and our active farmers,” Hamza said.
He solicited for the royal father’s blessing and guidance to the association members to succeed in their commitment to support government in boosting wheat production in the country.
Responding, the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, who is also a wheat farmer, lauded the zeal to boost wheat production in Nigeria and assured them of his support.
The Shehu of Borno noted the return of relative peace in Borno, known for wheat production, while promising to encourage more citizens in the state to embrace wheat farming.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the national leaders of the association also paid similar visit to the Director General of Lake Chad Research Institute in Maiduguri, known for conducting researches on wheat varieties.