By Faridat Salifu
Jigawa State’s drive to boost wheat production is facing a major setback as farmers abandon the crop in favour of onions and watermelon, citing sharp price declines that have made wheat farming economically unviable.
The shift highlights growing concerns over market instability undermining Nigeria’s food security ambitions.
Farmers in major wheat-producing areas such as Guri and Hadejia say the market price of wheat has collapsed by nearly 60 per cent within one season, erasing potential profits despite heavy investment in inputs.
A 100kg bag of wheat that previously sold for about ₦150,000 now fetches between ₦47,000 and ₦52,000, according to farmers.
While acknowledging government support through subsidised fertiliser, seeds, agrochemicals and mechanisation, farmers argue that production incentives alone are insufficient without price guarantees.
Many say rising costs of labour and farm inputs have made wheat farming unsustainable under current market conditions.
Jigawa plays a strategic role in the National Wheat Development Programme, with the state committing 40,000 hectares to the initiative when it was launched in 2023.
The federal government had targeted 100,000 hectares nationwide as part of efforts to reduce wheat imports and improve food self-sufficiency.
Agricultural analysts warn that declining wheat cultivation could reverse gains made under the programme and increase Nigeria’s dependence on imports.
They stress that stabilising farmgate prices and strengthening off-take arrangements are critical to keeping farmers engaged and protecting long-term food security goals.
Farmers now urge both federal and state governments to intervene urgently by addressing pricing mechanisms, improving market access and ensuring that investments in wheat production translate into sustainable incomes.