Dr Saifullahi Umar, the Technical Adviser to Jigawa State governor Umar Namadi, on Agriculture, has said the state has invested massively in agriculture to ensure food security, economic growth and rural development.
Umar spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Friday night on the sideline of the 14th Anniversary and Award Ceremonies of the Nigerian NewsDirect in Lagos.
The governor’s adviser was part of the top government functionaries dispatched to receive the Newspaper’s ‘Governor of the Year’ Award in Agro-Investments and Security on behalf of Namadi.
He said that the prestigious award, presented by Nigeria NewsDirect newspaper, affirmed Namadi’s exceptional leadership and transformative initiatives in Jigawa State’s agricultural sector.
“The efforts of his administration in these sectors and more, resulted to significant advancements in food security, economic growth and rural development.
“In one year in office, Namadi revitalized agriculture in Jigawa State and Nigeria at large, which resulted in increased access to inputs, thus provided farmers with 240,000 bags (12,000 metric tons) of fertilizer at a 40 per cent subsidy, that made critical inputs more affordable.
“To improve modern farming, Namadi introduced 360 tractors, 70 combined harvesters, 150 planters, and assorted implements to promote large-scale mechanized agriculture,” Umar said.
According to him, in an effort to expand mechanisation services, the government established the Jigawa State Farm Mechanisation Service Company and 60 Farm Service Centers, to provide accessible and affordable mechanization services.
The adviser said that the governor had made a huge investment in enhanced human capital with training of 30 young people in the International Master Tractor Technician Programme and developed a skilled workforce for modern agriculture.
“In an aim to boost wheat production in Jigawa, Namadi supported the cultivation of 55,000 hectares of wheat through the provision of improved seeds, fertilizers and agrochemicals, increasing local production.
“To further strengthen Extension Services in Jigawa, 1,435 Extension Agents were recruited and another 300 Community Animal Health Extension workers, to provide farmers with vital knowledge and support.
“The administration promoted Sustainable Agriculture by constructing five solar-powered vegetable centers, to demonstrate and disseminate innovative and environmentally friendly farming techniques.
“Namadi’s provided support to 8,813 workers through the Jigawa Workers Agricultural Support Scheme, while 41,290 vulnerable women and youths were supported to promote inclusion,” he said.
He said in order to promote economic growth, the administration created 1,100 millionaires, under the Rice Millionaire Project, which showcased the potential of agriculture for income generation and poverty reduction.
He added: “In maintaining Livestock Health, the administration saw to the vaccinating of 565,000 tropical livestock, to prevent disease outbreaks and enhance productivity.
“In one year of inception, artisanal bodies were restocked with 90,000 fingerlings to boost fish stocks and improve livelihoods for fishing communities.
“Namadi administration also invested in Women Economic Empowerment thus provided microcredit to 1,720 women through “the Goat Microcredit Scheme,” thus enabling them to establish and expand their own businesses.”
He added that another achievement of the Namadi’s administration was the Enhanced Water Resource Management, where 10 dams were Redesigned to improve irrigation infrastructure and ensure water availability for agriculture, increasing resilience to climate change.
According to him, since peace and security remain a priority, the governor is enforcing security measures to create a safe and conducive environment for agricultural activities and promoted peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders.
He noted that through the remodeling of the Jigawa State Agricultural Institute, the governor has been supporting agricultural innovation, research and development in agriculture.
He added that Namadi propagated 250,000 date palm seedlings to establish a large-scale Date Palm Plantation to diversifying agricultural production and create new economic opportunities.
Meanwhile, Governor Namadi, who was represented by Malam Bala Ibrahim, the Secretary to the State Government to receive the award, said he was pleased with the recognition and happy his contributions to the development of his state and the people were being acknowledged.
The governor, who dispatched top government functionaries, including two commissioners and three technical advisers to receive the award, said that he was highly elated with the recognition of his investments in agriculture, security, education and health for the benefit of the people.
Namadi said that the award would serve as an inspiration to do more and work for the betterment of the people.
