Olam Agri’s new wheat variety aims to enhance local cultivation, reduce reliance on imports, and address challenges faced by Nigerian farmers during the harmattan season.
Singapore-based agribusiness leader Olam Agri has unveiled a groundbreaking heat-tolerant and early-maturing durum wheat variety in Nigeria. Designed to thrive in the dry harmattan season, the new variety offers a sustainable solution to challenges faced by Nigerian farmers and could significantly reduce the country’s reliance on imported wheat. The announcement aligns with Olam Agri’s commitment to enhancing food security and empowering local agricultural communities.
The initiative, part of Olam’s Seeds for the Future project launched in 2021, aims to develop wheat seed varieties adapted to Nigeria’s unique topographic and climatic conditions. In collaboration with the International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, Olam Agri addressed key barriers to wheat cultivation identified in a survey of farmers across four villages in Northern Nigeria. Farmers had previously struggled with long-growing wheat varieties that interfered with rice planting cycles and lacked the financial support to expand wheat farming.
The new Crown wheat variety matures faster, allowing farmers to cultivate rice in subsequent seasons without delays. Preliminary tests have also confirmed its high yield and suitability for pasta production, addressing the needs of Olam’s Nigerian subsidiary, Crown Flour Mills — one of the country’s largest wheat millers and pasta producers.
The rollout begins this December with an initial distribution of 100kg of seeds to ten farmers, alongside agronomic training and financial support. These farmers are expected to multiply the seeds into three tonnes of certified seeds, which will then be scaled to 30 tonnes for community-level cultivation before full commercialization.
Nigeria currently imports over 90% of its annual wheat demand, valued at nearly US$2 billion in 2023, with major suppliers including Poland, Canada, and Russia. By promoting domestic wheat production, Olam Agri seeks to help Nigeria achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production, alleviate the economic burden of wheat imports, and support farmers in adapting to changing market conditions.
Source: NTU
