 Cereals
crops apart from having great industrial potential
also play a very
important role in the food security system of many
countries because of
their storability.
Of the world's total production of 1,747,410,000MT in 1993-95 and,
2,072,380,000MT projected figure for 2005, Nigeria produced 18,999,000 MT
in 1993-95 and is expected to produce 26,814000MT in year 2005,
(FAO 2000).
Nigeria imported 1,374, 000MT (1993-95) and is expected to import
1,947,000,000MT in year 2005.
The
major cereals commonly grown in the country include maize, sorghum,
millet, rice and wheat, Maize, sorghum and wheat are currently utilized as
major industrial raw materials while rice and millet plays lesser role.
Since the Federal Government removed direct support for large scale
production of wheat especially in the savanna region of the country in the
1980's local production plummeted.Local production of maize, sorghum, millet and other minor grains
have been on the increase because of their local demand as basic food and
their industrial usage.
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