Victoria Mbangwa
The Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (FMAFS) has announce a major intervention, donating free agricultural inputs to the state government to support farmers and boost food production.
At the event, held in Dabi village, Ringim Local Government Area, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari, officially handed over 10,000 water pumps, 10,000 knapsack sprayers, 10,000 liters of herbicides, pesticides, and organic fertilizers to the Jigawa State Government. These items, he said, would not only support smallholder farmers but also help stabilize food prices and improve agribusiness in the region.
“Jigawa is renowned for its food crop production, livestock farming, and cash crop exports, notably sesame and hibiscus flower which has positioned the state as one of the leading producers of sesame, and the largest producer of hibiscus in Nigeria.
“Today, we are here to celebrate the cultivation of over 80,000 hectares of wheat, with more than 160,000 farmers supported through subsidized agricultural inputs”, Minister Kyari said.
In the 2023/2024 wheat production season, the Federal Government, through the National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket Programme (NAGS-AP), supported the cultivation of 40,000 hectares of wheat in Jigawa.
Additional contributions from the state government and private partners increased the total to 55,000 hectares. The result? A bumper harvest that encouraged the federal government to expand its intervention this year to 60,000 hectares, with the state and partners adding another 20,000 hectares, bringing the total to 80,000 hectares of wheat cultivated.
Jigawa State Governor Mallam Umar Namadi reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to expanding wheat production, setting an ambitious target of 500,000 hectares by 2030.
“In Jigawa State, we are targeting to expand our wheat production to 500,000 hectares by 2030, and we will partner with any potential collaborators to achieve this goal,” he said, praising President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which has driven agricultural advancements across the country.
The Flour Milling Association of Nigeria (FMAN), a key private sector player, also pledged continued support for farmers. Dr. Aliyu Samaila, FMAN’s National Program Manager, revealed that this year alone, the association is supporting 10,000 farmers with input loans and training 50,000 farmers across six wheat-producing states. Additionally, FMAN has established 200 demonstration farms and centers of excellence, equipping farmers with modern skills for better productivity.
The Green Field Day wasn’t just about speeches—it was about action. Farmers received direct input support, and officials, including the Jigawa Deputy Governor and representatives from the All Farmers Association of Nigeria, inspected wheat farms in Ringim.
