The Jigawa State Government has earmarked N3.3 billion as loans for its civil servants under its Agricultural Support Programme.
Governor Umar Namadi launched the disbursement of the loan on Monday in Dutse, the state capital.
Speaking at the ceremony held at the state’s Agricultural Distribution Company (JASCO) premises, Governor Namadi explained that the initiative aims to address food security, provide economic empowerment, and enhance the lives of civil servants in the state.
“While supporting the efforts of participating civil servants to feed their families and provide them with additional means of livelihoods, the program is part of our overall agricultural transformation initiative aimed at achieving food security and economic diversification for Jigawa State and the Nation in general,” the governor stated.
He further emphasised that the strategy involves increasing participation in agricultural production and expanding the land under cultivation.
“This initiative is a testament to our administration’s unwavering commitment to the welfare of our workforce and the overall development of our dear state,” he said.
Governor Namadi highlighted that the programme would mitigate the prevailing economic challenges in the country, characterised by rising food prices which have eroded the purchasing power of workers’ salaries.
“There is no doubt that the soaring cost of food items has placed an enormous burden on our people, particularly our workforce, who earn a fixed income. This we are doing within the context of our overall agricultural transformation agenda,” he said.
“It is in line with our vision to transform Jigawa State into an agricultural hub, and we believe that by encouraging workers to participate in farming, we are contributing to increased food production, reduced reliance on food imports, and the overall development of our rural economy,” Mr. Namadi added.
The governor mentioned that the programme for the current farming season targets the production of rice, sorghum, millet, and sesame. Additionally, it aims to provide targeted support in the form of cost inputs supply and soft cash loans for farm operations to cover the cost of labour and other farm management expenses.
“The package comprises N250,000 for millet, sorghum, and sesame, covering the cost of inputs consisting of three bags of NPK and one bag of Urea per hectare, provision of assorted chemicals and pesticides, and the balance for operational costs.
“For those cultivating rice, the package is up to N500,000 to cover the costs of six bags of NPK and three bags of Urea per hectare, assorted chemicals and pesticides, and cash balance for other farm operations,” Governor Namadi explained.
He stated that the programme targets all civil servants in the state, with phase one covering over 8,430 civil servants in both state and local government services and about 400 public and political office holders.
“It is important to note that the government intends to institutionalise the Jigawa Workers Agricultural Support Program as a Revolving Loan to be implemented during all planting seasons—both rain-fed and irrigation. Accordingly, to effectively sustain the program just as we have the Car and Motor Vehicle Loans for Civil Servants, the initial funding provided for the implementation of the program must be safeguarded at all costs,” he emphasised.
Governor Namadi urged all beneficiaries to adhere to the program’s conditions, utilising the inputs package and funds for their intended purposes and ensuring timely repayment.
Rukayya Abubakar, one of the loan beneficiaries, hailed the initiative as the first of its kind in the state’s history and commended the governor for the intervention.
“We appreciate the governor because the initiative also benefits women civil servants in the state. When you empower women, you empower the whole world.
“The initiative will surely upgrade families’ fortunes; we are going to engage labourers, pay for labour, consume what we farm and sell part of it and use the money for the benefits of the household,” Mrs. Abubakar said.
Ali Sa’adu, Director of Management Service at the Office of the Head of Civil Service, expressed his appreciation for the loan’s repayment process, which encouraged him to apply.
“I will apply the fertiliser and chemicals appropriately and repay the loan as conditioned,” Mr. Sa’adu said.
He noted that beneficiaries have two options for repaying the loan: either in full after harvest or through gradual deductions from their salary.
He said this initiative is the first of its kind in the country and will encourage civil servants to be punctual and return to their farms after working hours.
“Having food at home will give them the energy needed to improve their living conditions,” he added.