Great Agri Input Limited (GAIL), part of FMN Agro, has officially kicked off the 2026/2027 wheat planting season in collaboration with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA). The event took place in Taura Maje, Jigawa State, with participation from community leaders, farmers, cooperatives, and representatives from FMN and BOA.
The program aims to support wheat cultivation across approximately 10,000 hectares in 13 states, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s agricultural development. The launch involved the distribution of agricultural inputs to farmers, symbolizing the start of the planting season. This initiative is designed to expand domestic wheat production, enhance smallholder farmer involvement, and bolster local content development throughout the wheat supply chain.
Mr. Sadiq Usman, Managing Director of FMN Agro, spoke about FMN’s long-standing commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s agricultural sector and reducing reliance on imported raw materials. He emphasized that GAIL has been instrumental in providing high-yielding seeds and agronomic support, which are critical for increasing local production capacity.
The initiative builds on five years of progress in local wheat cultivation, which now influences over 50 percent of Nigeria’s wheat production landscape, empowering more than 170,000 farmers through training and support services. Additionally, it has created over 300,000 direct and indirect job opportunities.
Mr. Tayo Ilori, General Manager of GAIL, noted the essential role of quality agricultural inputs and adequate support systems in improving farm productivity. Emphasizing the need for both superior seeds and comprehensive agronomic support, he mentioned that the initiative aims to provide farmers with the necessary resources to enhance productivity.
In a significant partnership, the BOA is serving as a financial supporter in this initiative. Abdulrazaq Datti Salihi, Zonal Manager of the BOA, emphasized the bank’s role in improving farmer access to resources and strengthening the local agricultural value chain.
Over the past three years, the program has significantly expanded local seed production and facilitated the adoption of high-yielding wheat varieties. As the new planting season commences, GAIL remains committed to boosting wheat cultivation in Nigeria, aiming for greater self-sufficiency in the sector.
