The Flour Millers Association of Nigeria (FMAN) and Wheat Farmers
Association of Nigeria (WFAN) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU)
to collaborate on measures to boost wheat production in the country.
Under the pact, both parties have
expressed commitment to further boost wheat production in the country with FMAN
expressing willingness to purchase wheat produced by WFAN at a guaranteed price
of N140,000 per metric tonne for the 2015/2016 farming season, while members of
WFAN consented to the deal.
Speaking during the signing of
the agreement at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development recently in
Abuja, Managing Director of Honeywell Flour Mills Plc., Lanre Jaiyeola, stated
that "the event marks a milestone in the development and growth of the
Nigerian wheat value chain and aligns with FMAN's objectives to provide
affordable and nutritious flour based foods to Nigerians in addition to developing
the wheat value chain and contributing to the growth of agriculture in Nigeria.
"This initiative seeks to
replicate the modest successes achieved in our intervention in the cassava
value chain where Nigeria is the number one producer of cassava in the
world".
Jaiyeola also expressed gratitude
to the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Chief Audu Ogbeh; the
Executive Governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu and the
officials of the Lake Chad Research Institute for their support.
Speaking on behalf of WFAN, Alhaji Farouk Mudi assured Nigerians that with the
support of FMAN and LCRI, farmers are ready to mobilize and produce the
required quantity of wheat to meet local demand.
The Minister of State for
Agriculture and Rural Development, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri said that
increased production of wheat will lead to food security, job creation, savings
on foreign exchange and growth of the Nigerian economy.
He further encouraged other crop
growers and agro associations producing rice, maize, cassava and other crops to
emulate what FMAN and WFAN have done, while the describing the actions of the
two stakeholders as commendable.
On his part, the Executive
Director, Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), Dr. Oluwaseun Olabanji, who
worked closely with both organisations to forge the partnership, said that the
primary goal of the Institute is to support wheat growers and ensure that
Nigeria achieves self-sufficiency in wheat production.
Meanwhile Jaiyeola also noted
that FMAN has concluded plans to further show support to wheat cultivation in
Nigeria through the donation of equipment, provision of water irrigation pumps,
pilot (demonstration) farms, purchase of seeds towards the next planting
season, sponsorship of technical support and research and development
initiatives aimed towards improving yield.
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