FG TO SLASH WHEAT IMPORTATION BY 20 PERCENT
Minister of Agriculture Dr Akinwumi Adesina
The Federal Government will cut down importation of wheat by 20 per cent from 2014, Minister of Agriculture Dr Akinwumi Adesina has said.
The minister, during a two-day training workshop organized for master bakers from the North-Central zone on cassava bread said the policy is expected to save over N127 billion from its annual wheat import bill of over N635 billion.
Adesina, who was represented by Mrs Toyin Adetunji, his Technical Adviser on Cassava Value Chain, said government has concluded plans to implement its policy of 20 per cent substitution of wheat with cassava flour in bread production to reduce the bill and save money for the country.
"The master bakers' training is part of measures aimed at developing the cassava industry through the domestic market apart from creating jobs and improving the income of the people. The step is also aimed at diversifying the nation's economic base from oil to non-oil sectors, of which agriculture occupies a prime position," he said.
He noted that Nigeria is the largest producer of cassava in the world with a production level of 40 million metric tonnes. The minister added that President Goodluck Jonathan has approved the sum of N10 billion for cassava bread development fund.