Nigeria’s North Embraces Barley Farming: 400,000 Hectares Identified
A recent pilot programme led by Nigerian Breweries Plc proved that barley can be grown commercially in northern Nigeria. Field trials in Jigawa, Bauchi, Plateau, Kano and Yobe showed strong yields and local adaptability. Over 1,000 smallholder farmers joined the Maltina Barley Programme this season, producing just over 1,000 metric tons. Research partners Lake Chad Research Institute and Secobra Research helped register three high–yield varieties—Traveler, Explorer and Prunella—in 2024. With an estimated 400,000 hectares suitable for barley and tax incentives from the federal government, Nigerian Breweries aims to develop a domestic barley value chain and support 20,000 farmers by 2030. This could save more than $150 million in annual forex currently spent on imports.
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