In a bold move to tackle youth unemployment and boost agricultural productivity, the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Jigawa State has launched an ambitious initiative to empower 200,000 youths through irrigation and summer farming.
The program, spanning all 27 local government areas, is designed to foster self-reliance and drive economic growth in the state.
Chairman of Jigawa ALGON and Gwaram Local Government, Professor Abdurrahman Salim, revealed the details in an exclusive interview with newsmen on Tuesday in Dutse, noting that each local government council has allocated a minimum of 100 hectares of land for summer farming, with some securing over 150 hectares.
The initiative, which has received the backing of Governor Umar Namadi, is expected to transform the agricultural landscape of the state.
According to Professor Salim, preparations are already in full swing, with 80 to 90 percent of the required wells dug to ensure a steady water supply for irrigation.
The state government has also released essential resources to facilitate the project’s implementation.
At least 500 youths from each local government will participate, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to 200,000.
To equip the young farmers for success, the government will provide them with essential farming tools, including rice cultivation and sowing equipment, as well as harrows and wells within their allocated farmlands.
The government will oversee the maintenance of these resources to ensure sustainability.
Professor Salim emphasized that the program is structured to build long-term self-sufficiency, as participants will be phased out after harvesting their summer and winter crops, making room for a fresh batch of beneficiaries.
Beyond summer farming, the state government is also investing in advanced agricultural skills development.
As part of this effort, 100 Jigawa youths were recently sponsored to China to receive specialized training in tractor operation and repair.
Upon their return, they will train other youths across all 27 local government areas and 287 constituencies, creating a ripple effect of knowledge transfer.
The state government has further allocated 10 tractors to each local government to promote mechanized farming, while newly recruited extension workers will provide expert guidance to young farmers.
Recognizing the critical role of women in the agricultural sector, Professor Salim affirmed that women are actively included in the initiative.
He disclosed that seven specialized training programs have been introduced to teach women how to manage waste and convert it into valuable resources, with each local government selecting 50 women for participation.
However, to further enhance agricultural innovation, 50 Jigawa youths—both male and female—were sent to Ogun State to receive hands-on training in soilless farming techniques, a modern approach to cultivation that eliminates the challenges of soil degradation.
Beneficiaries were selected from all 27 local governments to ensure widespread knowledge dissemination across the state.
Professor Salim also highlighted the newly introduced Safe School Initiative, under which 200,000 youths will be recruited across the state.
Furthermore, over 550 individuals will be employed in each local government area, reinforcing the government’s commitment to addressing unemployment and fostering community development.
He concluded by announcing plans to recruit young temporary workers to strengthen healthcare services across Jigawa’s health centers, ensuring that the empowerment drive extends beyond agriculture into critical sectors that contribute to the well-being of the state’s residents.
