₦airaland Forum

A recent pilot programme to grow barley in Nigeria’s north yielded positive results, proved that it can be cultivated commercially in the country, and identified more than 400,000 hectares of land suitable for barley cultivation.

This was disclosed by the country’s largest manufacturer of beverages, Nigerian Breweries Plc, during its Maltina Barley Field Day programme held Friday 6 March 2026 at Ringim in Jigawa State.

According to the company, more than 1,000 smallholder farmers grew barley under its Maltina Barley Programme during this season and produced a yield of a little more than 1,000 metric tons.

Managing Director/CEO of Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr. Thibaut Boidin, said the company’s ambition is to develop a barley value chain firmly rooted in Nigeria and aiming to support about 20,000 farmers by year 2030.

Boidin pointed out that Jigawa State showed promising potential for barley cultivation, with encouraging results also recorded in Bauchi, Plateau, Kano and Yobe states.

Research conducted in cooperation with the Lake Chad Research Institute and Secobra Research, led to the registration of 3 high-yield barley varieties named Traveler, Explorer, and Prunella, in year 2024.

Currently, Nigeria’s brewing companies import about 200,000 tons malted barley yearly, which translates to more than $150 million forex loss every year.

The Federal Government of Nigeria recently approved tax incentives for manufacturers that use local raw materials, inclusive of provisions for reduction in corporate tax for companies that deepen use of domestic inputs.

oyeb15:
Nigeria progress is always measured in future tense

HacheNoire:
Another great win for the administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).

Direct investment into agricultural research is finally yielding dividends.

Angelfrost:
It will definitely be in the North...!

Southerners nor dey take agriculture seriously.

Many of us will rather build Fuel stations, estates and hotels than farm or rear animals.

Arostar2023:
How you go take plant barley for South na. Haba! Ask yourself why cocoa and palm trees no de do well for North?

HacheNoire:
Another great win for the administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).

Direct investment into agricultural research is finally yielding dividends.

HacheNoire:
Another great win for the administration of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR).

Direct investment into agricultural research is finally yielding dividends.

davillian:
And how safe are the farmers?
In a country filled with terrorist and bandits…..
First thing first let your daddy fix security and power.

HacheNoire:
If you are in-tune with the affairs of our great country, you should not be hearing from me first that, the Siemens power project is ongoing and projected to boost our transmission.

Also, Securing the life’s and property of Nigerians has been the topmost priority of His Excellency, President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR). The current counter terrorism initiatives ongoing has never been initiated in the history of our country.

It’s a gradual process. Be patient.

bentenny:
I see some deluded data boys crediting their paymaster for a research carried out by a foreigner company😂😂
I guess they also have issues with reading as part of the requirements for being a Zumbie!

Even after this research,the organisers will have to contend with insecurity,inconsistent power supply and accessible roads...if they are finally successful,the production cost will be so huge,they will sadly have to go back to importing!

That's what happens when an administration fails to do what is primarily their most basic duties..securing the lives of their citizens!