ABUJA — The Federal Government has launched Project WHEAT-NESS, a 24-month programme to reduce Nigeria's dependence on imported wheat. Programme coordinator Gerald Okunsebor said the country imports about six million tonnes of wheat a year while producing only around 120,000 tonnes. Minister of State for Industry John Owan Enoh said flour mills are running at about half their capacity. The programme has four pillars: value chain development, enterprise support, a Made-in-Nigeria campaign and a blended-finance fund. Progress will be measured by wheat output, the price of a standard loaf of bread and jobs created, and the first interventions are expected before the end of the year.