FG evolves strategy to save $1.2bn on wheat importation

The Federal Government is evolving new strategy to forestall heavy import dependence on wheat, which it currently spends N625 billion annually on, according to reports.

This, Akinwunmi Adesina, minister of agriculture, said the import dependence on wheat was not permissible as the nation was evolving strategy that would see the nation, which has record of being the highest producer of cassava, becoming one of the highest processor.

According to Adesina, “a situation where the nation spends about N1 trillion on wheat importation is not allowed, as high quality cassava flour could be substituted in place of the wheat as that engineers job exportation.

“The intervention on wheat using cassava flour would save the nation N127 billion with its impact on job creation at home.”

Adopting a home-grown strategy on promoting local content is a sure way of ensuring food security, job creation and sustaining national sovereignty, he said.

To Adesina, who spoke at the signing of memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the agric ministry, Bank of Industry (BoI) and Bank of Agriculture (BoA) to boost cassava bread production, said the ministry had trained 1,200 master bakers in the production of cassava bread, with addition 5,000 to be trained, saying six persons per local government would be trained to ensure the adequate spread in the production.

These, he said, would prepare the ground for the N9.9 billion Federal Government intervention on sustaining home-grown processed cassava bread, which he revealed would save the nation $1.2 billion annually.

According to Adesina, 800, 000 metric tones of cassava is required to get 20 percent of high quality cassava bread to the Nigerian populace, as the plan would take into considerations high quality production, bread making, and social marketing development.

In response, Mohammed Santuraki, managing director, BoA, assured all cassava producers that the bank would support efforts geared towards having sufficient cassava flour to add value to production and create wealth.

By: Harrison Edeh