Olam Agri unveils heat-tolerant durum wheat variety for Nigeria’s dry season farming
NIGERIA – Olam Agri has announced the release of a novel heat-tolerant durum wheat variety specifically designed for local cultivation during Nigeria’s dry season, marking a significant milestone in the nation’s pursuit of wheat production self-sufficiency.
This achievement, unveiled on November 26, stems from Olam Agri’s Seed for the Future program, launched in 2021.
The initiative focuses on developing wheat seed varieties tailored to Nigeria’s diverse climatic and topographic conditions while equipping smallholder farmers with modern agronomic practices.
The initiative collaborates with the Lake Chad Research Institute (LCRI) and Dr. Filippo Bassi, a renowned wheat breeder at the International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA).
“We are glad to reach this critical milestone of releasing a novel heat-tolerant durum wheat seed variety tailored to Nigerian farming conditions,” said Nitin Meheta, Managing Director of Olam Agri’s flour milling business.
“We consistently focus on bold investments that will enable Nigeria to achieve its food production self-sufficiency goals.”
Founded over 30 years ago, Olam Agri has grown into one of the world’s leading agribusinesses, operating in six continents. Its portfolio spans grains, oilseeds, animal feed, and edible oils, serving food and industrial markets worldwide.
The company operates wheat flour mills across Cameroon, Ghana, Nigeria, and Senegal, with distribution networks extending to Benin, Togo, Burkina Faso, and beyond.
In Nigeria, Olam Agri produces pasta for local retail under brands such as Mama Gold, Crown Premium, and Bijou, leveraging its significant footprint in wheat milling and food production across Africa.
This innovative wheat variety exemplifies Olam Agri’s vision to combine agricultural expertise and strategic investments, driving sustainable growth and economic empowerment across Africa.
In September 2022, the Seed for the Future program achieved a key milestone by producing 10 kilograms of pre-multiplication seeds for testing.
In December 2023, 10 women-owned farms would begin planting the new wheat variety, with plans to expand the program to hundreds of farms in 2025 and thousands more by 2026.
According to Olam, the Crown wheat variety, developed by ICARDA as part of the Olam Prize for Innovation, addresses local farming needs, particularly the ability to grow wheat early and replant rice in time for subsequent harvests.
“The Crown wheat variety is tailored for Nigerian growing conditions after working closely with local farmers to understand their needs,” said Dr. Bassi, adding that based on test results, the variety is certified and suitable for pasta production.
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