Jigawa State Governor, Umar Namadi, has revealed that local wheat farmers are reaping the benefits of a robust subsidy programme, with the state government covering 75% of the costs associated with agricultural inputs.
According to The PUNCH, this move, according to the governor, is part of an initiative aimed at boosting wheat production and enhancing food security in Nigeria.
Speaking in an exclusive interview after attending the second regional summit of the West and Central Africa Development Network on Wheat, which took place in Abuja and concluded on Thursday, Namadi underscored the state’s dedication to expanding wheat farming.
“You know that through the collaboration between the African Development Bank and the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, 120,000 hectares were allocated to Nigeria, and out of that, 40,000 hectares were allocated to Jigawa State. So, I will take up the challenge of the 40,000 hectares,” the governor stated, stressing his determination to capitalize on the opportunity for the benefit of the state’s agricultural sector.
In addition, Namadi disclosed a new partnership with the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria, which has resulted in another 5,000 hectares being cultivated, bringing Jigawa’s total wheat cultivation to 45,000 hectares.
Furthermore, independent farmers who did not benefit from the government subsidy programme have contributed another 10,000 hectares of wheat, pushing the total area under cultivation to 55,000 hectares.
“And in addition, we also had another engagement with the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria and we have done another engagement of 5,000 hectares. That will make us 45,000 here. And also, our farmers, those who are not able to get themselves into this programme, they cultivated about 10,000 hectares,” Namadi explained.
The subsidy programme, which significantly lightens the financial burden on farmers, has been a game-changer. Governor Namadi outlined that, “With the support from the federal government, which gave us 50 per cent subsidy, we decided to help our farmers further by paying 75 per cent of the remaining 50 per cent.”
This means farmers are now required to cover only 25% of the input costs, a measure that has sparked greater interest in wheat farming.
The governor pointed out that this model has motivated more individuals to venture into wheat production, with promising results already being seen across the state.
Looking ahead, Namadi expressed ambitions to double the current scale of wheat cultivation.
“We are aiming at 100,000 hectares this year, and we hope that we will be able to meet this target,” he said, outlining his vision to dramatically increase the state’s output.
To further this expansion, the governor indicated plans to strengthen ties with the Flour Milling Association of Nigeria to secure additional land for wheat farming. Alongside increasing the land under cultivation, the state government is also focusing on enhancing seed availability to sustain and improve yields.
“The Ministry of Agriculture has brought in seed from Mexico, and we are also focusing on local seed production,” Namadi added, highlighting efforts to not only source high-quality seeds from abroad but also to develop a sustainable, local seed production industry.
Namadi also emphasized the economic potential of local seed production, particularly for young people in Jigawa.
“Seed production is very lucrative because you sell it at a premium price,” he noted, encouraging youth to seize the opportunity within the agricultural sector.
By combining these various strategies, Jigawa State is positioning itself as a leader in wheat production, with the ultimate goal of securing food self-sufficiency and transforming its agricultural landscape into a model for the nation.
