FMAN organizes brown field day in Jigawa, interacts, appraise farmers

Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) in collaboration with Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT) of Africa Development Bank (AFDB), Central Bank of Nigeria, Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (FMARD) and Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) have jointly organized the Brown wheat field day event today March 16^th 2023 at Azambu Village Mallam Madori Jigawa State.

READ ALSO: Wheat Production: We’ve cultivated 1,200 hectares this season in Kano and in total 4,000 hectares across 7 Northern states – FMAN

The Brown Field Day is an event that brings wheat farmers, research scientists, policy makers, development partners and other stakeholders together to interact and appraise new improved technologies for adoption and to show case the potentials of wheat production in Nigeria.

The objectives of the Annual National Field Day are; to provide training to wheat farmers and extension agents, prepare them for pre and post-harvest handling for good quality produce and to assure them of the support of all stakeholders across the wheat value chain to achieving wheat self-sufficiency for National food security.

FMAN has organized 5 other field days across Kano, Sokoto, Kaduna, Bauchi & Kebbi in the past month and this is the 6^th of the series.

In the past few years, Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN) has rolled out several initiatives to expand local wheat production, empower farmers and significantly contribute to the nation’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency and improving food security through the following programs:

• Outgrower program: This aims to empower the Nigerian wheat farmer by giving them access to agricultural input (agro-chemicals and quality certified seeds) as a loan for payback with the grains harvested from the farmer’s farm.
• Demonstration farms: the application of appropriate technology adapted to local conditions and have predictable outcomes based on a foundation in research to help farmers determine how new variety, products or cropping practices compare to standard practices on their farms. The actual “Show & Do” approach to farming.
• Seed production: adequate engagement with certified seed production partners to ensure seed sufficiency for the Nigerian farmer for future seasons
• Research & development: the establishment of a 10-hectare farm in Jigawa dedicated to testing new seed varieties and improved agronomic practices, including collaboration with Lake Chad Research Institute, and international bodies like CIMMYT and ICARDA.
• Data management: partnership with technical providers to ensure adequate and smooth collection of field data for apt decision making.
• Wheat farmer centers: the establishment of over 40 grassroot collection points across 15 states to allow easy delivery of yields from the farm.

FMAN Operational updates/Achievement this season

1. Cultivation of 114-hectare demonstration farms across the 6 northern states to provide training on Good Agronomic Practices. States includes Adamawa, Borno, Gombe, Plateau, Taraba 7 Yobe.
2. Expansion of FMAN’s direct Outgrower program with input loans to cover 4,300 farmers across 3,900 hectares in 7 states – Kano, Jigawa, Sokoto, Kebbi, Kaduna, Bauchi and Zamfara.
3. Expansion of seed production with 6 certified seed companies, including both dry and wet season seed production, to produce sufficient seeds for 10,000 hectares next season. (Partners include TechniSeeds, Premier Seeds, Lifted Agro, Greenspore, Sow Agritech and Ahalson Seed.)
4. Research trials on FMAN’s 10-hectare research farm in Jigawa for testing new seed varieties and improved agronomic practices, including collaboration with Lake Chad Research Institute, CIMMYT and ICARDA
5. Grant funding for National Agricultural Seeds Council to expand their capabilities to test seed quality, certify seed production and train farmers to differentiate high-quality seed from others in the market.
6. Research & Communications: Launch of a data management app for proper data collection and management of field activities in partnership with SourceTrace.

FMAN success story so far