Kaduna: LCRI trains 5000 wheat farmers

The Kaduna State government has commenced clearing 50,000 hectares of land for wheat farming next season. This is coming as the state government through its interventions cultivated 1,200 hectares of wheat last season.

The Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI), with the mandate of genetic improvement of wheat have also embarked on a scientific training for 5000 farmers in Kaduna State who will serve as new generation wheat farmers in the state.

Speaking with the Executive Director of LCRI, Dr Oluwasina Olabanji, Nigerian Tribune gathered that the Governor of Kaduna State, Mallam Nasir El Rufai had planned cultivating 50,000 hectares of wheat last season, but as a result of lack of capacity building for Kaduna farmers and inadequate seed, the state government was able to facilitate the cultivation of 1,200 hectares last season.

Dr Olabanji further stated that the government of Kaduna State had already procured and distributed to strategic locations in the fields, four 12 inch hydro flow pumps for wheat farmers.

He said Governor El Rufai argued if wheat could be grown in the state following a report that stated that wheat cannot be grown in Kaduna State, “I told him that there is no scientific based evidence to show that Kaduna State cannot grow wheat”.

According to him “the Governor wanted to cultivate 50,000 hectares of wheat last season, I discouraged him because there was no enough seeds, and there was no capacity building for wheat farmers in the state. The farmers need to be trained scientifically.

“Currently, Kaduna State have cultivated 1,200 hectares of wheat last season and they are still preparing land for 50,000 hectares and the government bought four 12 inches hydro flow pump, they are already at strategic locations in the field.

“5000 wheat farmers have been trained by LCRI and the 5000 farmers will be the new generation of wheat farmers in Kaduna State, the Kaduna government also gave out free seeds and fertilizers to the wheat farmers.

Dr Olabanji further said that if the tempo of wheat production is maintained, in the next five years, Nigeria will be self sufficient on wheat production, and will be able to satisfy the nation’s wheat demand.