Jigawa State is positioning itself for a major breakthrough in agricultural productivity, with Governor Umar Namadi announcing plans to boost crop yields to as high as 10 tons per hectare through aggressive mechanization and expanded irrigation farming.
The governor made this known on Wednesday while receiving a delegation from Al-Yaseen Agricultural Company of Saudi Arabia at the Government House in Dutse. He reaffirmed the state’s commitment to revolutionizing agriculture by leveraging its natural endowments and deepening technological integration across the sector.
“Agriculture is the backbone of Jigawa’s economy, employing between 85 and 90 percent of our people and contributing 46 percent to our GDP,” Governor Namadi stated. “We have the land, the water, and the human capacity. With your expertise in irrigation and technology, I am confident that we can work together to achieve our ambitious goals.”
Governor Namadi noted that Jigawa has already made considerable progress, with average crop yields increasing from 2.5 tons per hectare to nearly 4.5 tons. He said the state government is now aiming for 8 to 10 tons per hectare by intensifying investment in modern agricultural practices and infrastructure.
The governor outlined several strategic interventions already underway, including the expansion of irrigation schemes, improved seed distribution, agronomic training for farmers, and the deployment of over 1,700 agricultural extension officers across the state.
“We are currently revamping 10 key dams and unlocking thousands of hectares of fertile land for cultivation,” he said. “Even in the desert zones, we have shallow water tables—water is accessible at just 70 to 80 meters. We are also exploring the Hadejia Valley, where over 18,000 hectares of arable land remain untapped.”
Governor Namadi described the visit from Al-Yaseen Agricultural Company as timely and expressed hope that the partnership would catalyze Jigawa’s agricultural transformation, especially in large-scale irrigation and mechanised farming.
In his remarks, the leader of the visiting delegation, Dr. Shu’aibu Abubakar, commended the Jigawa State Government for what he described as unmatched efforts in modernizing agriculture in Nigeria.
“We have travelled across the country and seen what states are doing, but what Jigawa is achieving in terms of technology-driven agriculture is unprecedented,” he said.
Dr. Abubakar noted that during the delegation’s field visits, they were impressed by the dedication of farmers and the strong government support driving their success. “We engaged directly with farmers who testified to the remarkable assistance they have received from timely inputs, training, and infrastructural support that have enabled them to achieve more.”
He assured the governor of Al-Yaseen’s readiness to partner with Jigawa in actualizing its vision for an agriculturally prosperous state, adding that the company is eager to bring its expertise, technology, and investments to support the state’s drive for higher productivity and food security.
