Rabiu Bichi, the newly appointed Managing Director of the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin Development Authority (HJRBDA), has committed to implementing transformative changes in agriculture, water resource management, and youth empowerment.
Speaking during the official handover ceremony on Tuesday in Kano, Bichi expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to lead the authority.
He emphasized that his strategic plans align closely with the objectives of President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
The newly appointed Managing Director has committed to advancing food security, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment across Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi States.
He expressed that this occasion is not only a personal achievement but also a reflection of a shared commitment to national development and community welfare.
Bichi extended his gratitude to Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for his crucial support in driving the administration’s agricultural vision.
He outlined a comprehensive roadmap that includes enhancing water resource management by improving water-use efficiency by 20% through Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM).
Bichi also vowed to optimize irrigation systems, expanding coverage from 54,000 to 240,000 hectares, with the aim of boosting paddy rice production from 216,000 tonnes to 1 million tonnes.
“The goal is to bridge the gap between the demand from millers (7 million tonnes) and the current national output (4 million tonnes),” he said. Additionally, dam rehabilitation will focus on improving water retention capacity through de-silting and other remedial actions.
A key priority for Bichi’s administration is youth empowerment, with plans to train at least 5,000 youths in the three states in areas such as modern irrigation techniques, beekeeping, horticulture, greenhouse farming, hydroponics, and fodder production.
“The youth are crucial to unlocking our agricultural potential. With the right skills and innovation, they can address challenges like climate change and low productivity,” Bichi explained.
The training program will cover technical skills in irrigation installation and maintenance, sustainable agricultural practices like soil conservation and crop rotation, and entrepreneurship, including business management and market access. There will also be a focus on community engagement to promote knowledge-sharing and cooperation.
The Authority plans to strengthen the agricultural value chain from production to marketing, fostering partnerships with local businesses and ensuring access to finance.
“We will collaborate with the Bank of Agriculture (BOA), the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE), NASENI, and the Ministry for Livestock to support our farmers and trainees,” he stated.
Bichi reaffirmed the commitment to driving this vision across Kano, Jigawa, and Bauchi, with a focus on food security, environmental sustainability, and community well-being.
He also emphasized his dedication to improving the welfare of employees, ensuring that postings are based on merit and bureaucratic standards.
“Our goal is to create a supportive environment that boosts morale, enhances productivity, and fosters trust among employees,” he added.
Acknowledging the efforts of the previous leadership, Bichi promised to continue impactful initiatives while addressing areas that require improvement.
“By working together with the government, NGOs, the private sector, and community leaders, we can build a resilient agricultural future for the Hadejia Jama’are River Basin. We’re not just investing in agriculture; we’re investing in prosperity, peace, and progress,” he concluded.
