The newly elected president of the Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria (WFAN), Alhaji Musa Shehu Sheka, has described government intervention in wheat farming in the country as a contributing factor that will enhance production of wheat for local consumption and for export.
Alhaji Sheka disclosed this while addressing newsmen after he assumed office as the new president in Kano. His emergence followed the death of the former president of the association, Alhaji Salim, who died three weeks ago.
He said at a time when the Russia and Ukraine war had affected the importation of wheat, the country should take advantage and boost production in order to bridge the gap of in-house consumption and also export to other countries.
“That is what we tell the government all the times, it is only through government intervention that we can produce enough and even export outside the country. The problem of Ukraine-Russia and some Asian countries has caused all the problems we are facing now. It has led to scarcity and a hike in the price of wheat. So, we should take advantage to produce more so that we can feed ourselves.”
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He said it is time for African countries to rise and invest more in wheat farming to ensure that the region can feed itself.
He said as a newly elected president he will work assiduously in ensuring adequate development of wheat farmers across the federation.
Sheka maintained that the association is not only for the northerners but for all Nigerians, hence he will ensure that members from the 36 states are carried along.
He promised to work tirelessly in addressing the challenge of inadequate farming inputs, training and retraining of wheat farmers among others.
