The Jigawa State Government says it has enrolled 100,000 farmers into a digital agriculture platform aimed at fostering smart and sustainable farming across the state.
Commissioner for Information, Youths and Sports, Mr. Sagir Musa, stated this while presenting the scorecard of Governor Umar Namadi’s administration in Dutse, marking its second anniversary.
Musa said the initiative comprises the Digital Wallet, GIS-Based Farm Mapping, and an AI-Driven Pest Advisory System, all designed to modernize agriculture and boost productivity. The government set a target of 100,000 farmer enrollments by 2025, a significant jump from just 20,000 in 2023.
“We have already recorded about 75% success in implementing digital agriculture, a major step toward sustainable agricultural development,” he said.
The state also distributed fertilisers, seeds, and other inputs to 85,000 farmers, achieving significant milestones in seed distribution—scaling from a baseline of 500 in 2023 to 950 by 2024, with a 2025 target of 1,200.
Crop yields improved by 22%, though short of the 30% target due to drought conditions. The achievements were largely driven by the Wheat and Rice Revolution Initiative, Crop Cluster Farm Scheme, and the Fadama III Additional Financing Programme.
On livestock development, Jigawa has embraced AI adaptation in cattle breeding, reaching 12,500 out of 15,000 targeted herds. About 4,200 farmers were trained in modern poultry farming, while milk production surged to 100,000 litres daily, up from 80,000.
These gains were attributed to the establishment of dairy hubs, cattle breeding and genetic improvement schemes, backyard poultry empowerment, and the pastoral resettlement programme.
The government also expanded irrigation capacity from 1,200 to 3,800 hectares, and achieved 80% success in rural road development by completing 120 roads against a target of 150.
To boost animal health, the administration vaccinated 450,000 animals through a mass campaign, completed the upgrade of 10 veterinary clinics, and launched mobile veterinary services alongside a zoonosis control programme.
Other key achievements include:
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Distribution of 150 tractors and training of technicians to drive mechanised farming.
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Support for 3,800 fish farmers, leading to the production of over 11,000 tonnes of fish through the Aquaculture Entrepreneurship Scheme, Typha Grass Utilisation, and Cold Chain Development.
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Provision of fertiliser subsidies to 220,000 beneficiaries (88% of the 250,000 target).
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Training of 1,300 agro-dealers, up from a baseline of 500 in 2023.
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Establishment of six seed multiplication farms, E-voucher input distribution, and an upgraded fertiliser blending plant.
Bauchi Supports 50,000 Farmers Under Agricultural Renewal Initiative
In Bauchi, over 50,000 farmers have benefited from the Bauchi Agricultural Renewal Initiative (BARI) in the past year, according to Mr. Ahmed Audu, Director of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
Audu said the farmers received improved seeds, fertilisers, and were exposed to climate-smart practices and Good Agricultural Practices (GAP). The Bala Mohammed administration reclaimed 15,000 hectares of land using mechanised support, resulting in a 38% increase in maize and rice yields compared to 2024.
The state also commissioned five large-scale irrigation projects along the Jama’are and Komadugu River Basin to enhance year-round food production.
To strengthen agro-processing, the government established three modern agro-processing centres in Zaki, Dass, and Ganjuwa, and upgraded 10 silos to curb post-harvest losses.
On infrastructure, Mr. Hamisu Ahmed from the Ministry of Works and Housing said over 780 kilometers of roadsand 10 bridges, including the critical Gadau Bridge, have been constructed to improve rural connectivity and boost trade.
Mixed Reactions from Stakeholders
Mr. Livinos Boi, an agricultural economist, praised the initiatives, noting that “farmers are receiving more support than under previous administrations.”
However, Mrs. Fatima Danladi, a social activist, raised concerns about equity in distribution. “Many rural farmers still lack access to these interventions, as bureaucracy and vested interests hinder inclusivity,” she said.
Similarly, Mr. Ibrahim Musa, a civil engineer, urged transparency in infrastructure contracts. “The construction boom is promising, but we must ensure due process for long-term value,” he noted.
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