$134M Agriculture Programme: Officials Debunk Wheat Funding Claims, Reveal Bigger Picture

 

Amid mounting public debate, officials overseeing the National Agricultural Growth Scheme–Agro Pocket (NAGS-AP) have pushed back against claims that a $134 million intervention fund is solely dedicated to wheat production, describing such assertions as misleading and incomplete.

In an exclusive interview with Food Farm News, National Project Coordinator Ishaku Buba set the record straight, emphasizing that wheat represents only a fraction of a much broader agricultural programme.

“The whole fund is not for wheat. Wheat is just one component,” Buba clarified, noting that the initiative also targets key staples including rice, maize, sorghum, millet, soybean, and cassava.

The clarification comes as public discourse continues to link the entire funding envelope to wheat cultivation, with some estimates exaggerating government spending on the crop alone. According to Buba, such narratives fail to capture the full scope of the intervention, which spans multiple commodities and systemic agricultural reforms.

Project data shows that initial wheat cultivation targets ranged between 100,000 and 200,000 hectares. However, implementation across two farming seasons has significantly outperformed expectations, surpassing 400,000 hectares more than double the original goal.

“We have exceeded our targets,” Buba said, attributing the gains to stronger coordination and improved execution at the field level.

Beyond crop production, the programme includes wide-ranging components such as input distribution systems, extension services, sector reforms, and support for local input manufacturing. Officials argue that overlooking these elements has fueled misconceptions and inflated claims, including suggestions that as much as ₦2 trillion is being spent exclusively on wheat.

“There is a need to correct the narrative,” Buba stressed, warning that inaccurate reporting risks undermining public understanding of the programme’s impact.

He also pointed to the involvement of international financing institutions in shaping and approving the initiative, noting that rigorous procedures were followed prior to rollout. According to him, the programme builds on earlier agricultural interventions but introduces stronger monitoring mechanisms.

Central to this is a digital tracking dashboard that provides real-time oversight from farmer registration to input distribution designed to enhance transparency and accountability. “Field activities can be monitored live,” he explained.

Despite its achievements, the programme has faced internal hurdles. Sources revealed that early implementation was slowed by administrative reshuffles and leadership changes, which temporarily disrupted progress. Momentum reportedly picked up after experienced personnel were reinstated.

Still, Buba maintains that the programme is delivering measurable results, especially when compared to other initiatives with larger budgets but limited visible impact.

He also dismissed corruption allegations, suggesting that critics may not fully understand the programme’s structure. “People draw conclusions without seeing the full picture,” he said.

As scrutiny continues, officials insist they remain open to engagement, encouraging stakeholders and the media to rely on verified data and on-the-ground evidence.

The intervention, they reaffirm, is part of a broader government strategy to boost food security, cut import dependence, and modernize Nigeria’s agricultural sector.