Sep 04 2018, 12:59 PMSep 04 2018, 1:19 PMSeptember 04 2018, 12:59 PMSeptember 04 2018, 1:19 PM New wheat varieties that are customized for the tropics are being planted by farmers in Nigeria , and could help reduce imports , which cost $ 4.4bn annually , according to the country 's agriculture ministry . Known as Brown and Norman ##na , the new strains have been developed by a government - owned agricultural research agency , and are said to yield more than triple the output of older varieties , according to the Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria . The country has cultivated more than 300,000 hectares , and looks to produce over one million tons per year . The ministry also aims to cut imported wheat shipments 60 % by half .
New wheat varieties that are customized for the tropics are being planted by farmers in Nigeria , and could help reduce imports , which cost $ 4.4bn annually , according to the country 's agriculture ministry . Known as Brown and Norman ##na , the new strains have been developed by a government - owned agricultural research agency , and are said to yield more than triple the output of older varieties , according to the Wheat Farmers Association of Nigeria . The country has cultivated more than 300,000 hectares , and looks to produce over one million tons per year . The ministry also aims to cut imported wheat shipments 60 % by half .