Dr. Imam Isah Musa, an agricultural expert with the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, has commended the Rice Millionaire Project initiated by the Umar Namadi Danmodi administration in Jigawa State as a model for youth empowerment initiatives.
According to Dr. Musa, in a statement, the project is a “direct response not only to addressing youth unemployment but to transforming the agriculture in the State”.
The project aims to cultivate one hectare of rice foundation seed per participant, adding 1,100 hectares of rice farmland to the state’s agricultural landscape.
Dr. Musa noted, “the project’s first goal is to cultivate one hectare of rice foundation seed per participant, adding a total of 1,100 hectares of rice farmland to the state’s agricultural landscape.”
The Rice Millionaire Project is designed to address the challenges hindering youth engagement in agriculture, promote food security, and drive economic growth in Jigawa State.
Dr. Musa emphasized that the project “stands as a model for other states, demonstrating the transformative power of targeted interventions in youth empowerment, agriculture, and rural development.”
The project’s objectives include producing 4,400 metric tons of high-quality rice seed and creating direct employment opportunities for 1,100 youth, with indirect benefits for over 3,000 others.
Dr. Musa praised the project’s design, which includes comprehensive training, input packages, and market linkages to empower participating youth.
To ensure the project’s success, Dr. Musa stressed the need for continued attention from Governor Umar Namadi Danmodi, particularly in addressing underlying factors driving youth migration to urban centers.
He then highlighted key challenges such as limited access to credit, low profitability in agriculture, and capacity limitations.
