By Usman Muhammad Zaria <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa state says his administration\u2019s ambitious plan to contribute 50 percent of Nigeria\u2019s total rice requirement by the year 2030.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He stated this while receiving a delegation from the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), led by the chairman of the Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee, Ambassador Desmond Akawor, during a courtesy visit Wednesday at Government House, Dutse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He explained that, they cultivate rice twice a year, pointing out that, in 2024 alone, they cultivated over 200,000 hectares of rice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He noted that, this year, they are scaling up to over 250,000 hectares which by 2030, their target is 500,000 hectares.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Malam Umar Namadi said, at the pace they are going, they will achieve that with ease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOur ultimate goal is to contribute 3.6 million metric tons of rice annually to Nigeria\u2019s rice production\u2014representing close to 50% of the nation\u2019s requirement. We have the land, the people, and the political will to make this happen.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Governor Namadi said agriculture remains the mainstay of Jigawa\u2019s economy, with approximately 85% of its population engaged in the sector, adding that his government has recorded historic breakthroughs in dry season farming in previously barren areas of the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe are also making concerted efforts to expand our irrigation infrastructure. Once completed, more land will be brought into year-round production. For the first time in the history of Jigawa State, we have successfully introduced dry-season farming in desert-prone areas where agriculture was once thought impossible. Today, the youth in those communities have become fully engaged in productive farming and are no longer migrating out of the state for jobs.\u201d
Speaking on Jigawa\u2019s dominance in other crop sectors, Governor Namadi remarked:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMr. Chairman, we are in a very advantageous position. All we need is access to resources\u2014and we will transform our state beyond expectations. Today, Jigawa is number one in sesame seed and hibiscus flower production in Nigeria. We currently contribute 75% of Nigeria\u2019s non-oil agricultural exports, thanks to our dominance in these two key commodities. When it comes to wheat, we are also leading. In 2024, we cultivated 55,000 hectares, and in 2025, we\u2019re doing 105,000 hectares.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further stated, with additional support, their farmers can achieve even greater feats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“For example, Jigawa State alone has the capacity to provide 50% of Nigeria\u2019s rice and 50% of its wheat requirements. That is why we are working hard to bring more land under cultivation and expand our irrigation networks.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the state\u2019s resource endowment, the governor highlighted the untapped mineral potential of Jigawa, including oil, but expressed the government\u2019s cautious approach in maintaining peace and security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWhen it comes to mineral resources, Jigawa State is equally endowed\u2014even with crude oil deposits. However, we are taking a cautious and responsible approach to resource exploitation. As the most peaceful state in Nigeria, we are determined not to compromise our security while chasing revenue. We are being strategic about how and when we begin extraction\u2014ensuring that our partners are credible and that our people\u2019s lives and properties remain protected.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier speaking, the leader of the RMAFC delegation told the governor that visit is part of the Committee\u2019s mandate to evaluate state-level projects eligible for support through a special 1.68% national revenue allocation intended to diversify Nigeria’s economy, focusing on agriculture, tourism, and solid minerals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He further said the committee was impressed by the initial briefings and site visits, especially the natural resource endowments in the state, and will continue inspections in the agricultural sector while assuring the governor of a fair and objective assessment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He emphasized the importance of harnessing natural resources for economic growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
By Usman Muhammad Zaria Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa state says his administration\u2019s ambitious plan to contribute 50 percent of Nigeria\u2019s total rice requirement by the year 2030. He stated this while receiving a delegation from the Revenue Mobilization Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC), led by the chairman of the Fiscal Efficiency and Budget Committee, […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1502,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[23,17,24,16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1501","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-agriculture","category-headline","category-jigawa","category-news"],"yoast_head":"\n