By Abdullahi Idris, Dutse Governor Umar Namadi has officially launched the 2025 Dry Season Rice Production Programme along with ...
By Abdullahi Idris, Dutse
Governor Umar Namadi has officially launched the 2025 Dry Season Rice Production Programme along with the Jigawa Rice Value Chain Development Initiative, positioning the state to become Nigeria’s leading rice producer.
The ambitious programme aims to achieve an annual output of 3.6 million metric tonnes of rice through the cultivation of 1.2 million hectares of farmland.
Speaking during the flag-off ceremony in Auyo Local Government Area, Governor Namadi described the launch as a major milestone in the state’s agricultural transformation agenda.
“This event is more than just another agricultural initiative—it embodies our collective determination to position Jigawa State as Nigeria's agricultural powerhouse and a key contributor to national food security,” he said.
Governor Namadi noted that Jigawa is already Nigeria’s second-largest rice-producing state and expressed confidence that the new programme would further consolidate this status.
Under the initiative, 58,500 farmers are expected to benefit from subsidized agricultural inputs including certified seeds, fertilizers, agrochemicals, and access to irrigation equipment. The state plans to distribute 20,000 water pumps—split equally between solar-powered and fuel-powered units—to boost irrigation during the dry season.
“Our goal is to reach 500,000 hectares of dry season rice cultivation by 2030, with a long-term objective of cultivating 1.2 million hectares annually to produce 3.6 million metric tonnes of rice,” the Governor added.
The programme is part of a broader mechanization agenda that includes the procurement of 360 tractors, 70 combine harvesters, and the establishment of the Jigawa Farm Mechanization Service Company to deliver affordable mechanization services to farmers.
“We are building a fully mechanized agricultural sector—from land preparation to harvesting,” Governor Namadi emphasized.
To ensure transparency and accountability, he announced the introduction of the Jigawa Input Voucher System, which will be used to monitor the distribution of inputs and eliminate malpractice.
"We will not tolerate any form of malpractice—whether input diversion, loan default, or other sharp practices. These resources represent the hard work and sacrifice of all Jigawa citizens, and we will protect them vigorously.”
In his keynote address, Dr. Saifullahi Umar, Technical Adviser on Agriculture, described rice as “the bedrock of food security, a critical driver of household incomes, and a strategic commodity in our national agricultural transformation agenda.”
He explained that the programme is anchored on five core pillars: access to inputs, extension services, financing, climate-smart practices, and robust data systems.
According to Dr. Umar, the participating 58,500 farmers will be organized into 1,170 clusters to facilitate monitoring and technical support. Each cluster will receive training in best agronomic practices, irrigation management, and financial literacy.
Extension agents will be equipped with modern advisory tools, including the RiceAdvice mobile app, to deliver effective on-the-field guidance.
For financial sustainability, the programme offers tailored input loans with flexible repayment options.
“Repayment can be made in cash or in-kind and is due at the end of the 2025 dry season,” he noted. “For solar water pump beneficiaries, we have developed a convenient installment plan spread over several seasons.”
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