Kano wheat grower urges policy consistency to boost agric production

By Abdullahi Yusuf

A large-scale wheat grower and processor in Kano State, Alhaji Mannir Babba Dan’agundi, has called for consistency in policy in order to boost Agricultural production in the country.

Dan’agundi made the call at Kwanar Dangora in Bebeji Local Government Area shortly after an inspection tour of a wheat demonstration farm and his wheat warehouse, conducted by him and other wheat growers under the aegis of the Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation(TAAT).

Dan’agundi who also produces Maize, Sorghum and paddy rice,expressed the need for commitment to the consistent policies so as to enhance agricultural production in the country.

He said once the country gets its agricultural policies right and continues with them,the objective of boosting agricultural production would be achieved.

“It is about commitment; it is about the consistency of the policy.Once you we do that and we are committed, Nigeria has the land,the water and the people to do what it is supposed to do.

“And with our population of over 200 million people, it is imperative for us to ensure that we grow some thing with which we can even feed ourselves.So,I am very much hopeful with what the government is doing,and I think we need to do more,” he said.

Dan’agundi,a former member of the House of Representatives who represented Kumbotso Federal Constituency in Kano State,then urged the relevant stakeholders to thrive to make Nigerians “more proactive and responsive to the responsibilities in the agricultural sector.”

Earlier,the Head, Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation(TAAT) Clearinghouse, Dr. Solomon Gizaw, who was also part of the tour, said if farmers could get the right policy support, the right technology and the right market link to the processors,it is possible for them “to become competent, profitable and they can change the lives and livelihoods.In fact, Africa can feed itself.”

“In Nigeria,we are seeing a great opportunity for Nigeria to be self sufficient in wheat in the coming few years,” Gizaw said, adding that Nigeria today produces only five percent of the wheat it comsumes,and imports the remaining 95 percent from foreign countries worth over five billion Dollars.

The inspection tour was preceded by a Train the Trainer workshop on Wheat seed production in Nigeria which was held in Kano.

“The training is to remind us that we have all that it takes to get the revolution in wheat production in Nigeria,” said TAAT programme coordinator, Dr. Chrys Akem.