- In November 2023, the Federal Government initiated a dry season programme in Jigawa to bolster wheat cultivation nationwide, designating 40,000 hectares in the state out of the total 100,000 hectares allocated for the programme
Governor Umar Namadi of Jigawa State unveiled ambitious plans to cultivate two million tonnes of wheat for export and achieve agricultural self-sufficiency.
This initiative, facilitated by the National Wheat Development Programme and the state’s wheat programme, aims to position Nigeria as a potential exporter of wheat, strengthening self-reliance in the sector.
Following a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, Namadi expressed confidence in Nigeria’s capability to export wheat, with the President endorsing and pledging Federal Government support for the state’s agricultural objectives.
Namadi briefed President Tinubu on key development issues in Jigawa and appreciated the allocation of 40,000 hectares of state land for the National Wheat Development Programme.
In November 2023, the Federal Government initiated a dry season programme in Jigawa to bolster wheat cultivation nationwide, designating 40,000 hectares in the state out of the total 100,000 hectares allocated for the programme.
Governor Namadi stated that President Tinubu assured him of the government’s readiness to provide necessary assistance for the state’s successful realization of its agricultural objectives.
“We should tell him what we require, and he is prepared to assist us,” Namadi explained.
When asked about possible contributions by Jigawa State to Nigeria’s wheat production, he responded, “We are number one in wheat in Nigeria. So, the issue is we have already made a difference because we are number one. And then today like I told you out of 120,000 hectares for Nigeria, Jigawa State alone is given 40,000 hectares and that shows that we are making a difference.”
Regarding the possibility of Nigeria achieving wheat self-sufficiency, he responded, “Certainly, we will. In Jigawa State, we have a FADAMA land of over 400,000 hectares. So, that is only FADAMA land that we can cultivate both in rainy and dry season.”
Namadi said his administration is exploring rice exportation alongside other cash crops, wheat being one of those.
“We are going to export wheat over time…We’re doing the first one and then after this one, we’re going for rice, and the next one, we’re going for wheat.
“That’s how the cycle will continue to go. Definitely, we’re going to have food sufficiency and we’ll definitely have surplus to export,” he remarked.
The governor said his administration is targeting wheat harvests of four tonnes per hectare annually.
He said “The matter at hand pertains to our current practices; at a minimum, we anticipate harvesting four tonnes per hectare. We have reached 40,000 hectares at a rate of four tonnes per hectare.
“Indeed, the 40,000 are the ones for which the federal government has provided assistance. We are exceeding those actions. We can have approximately 50,000 hectares under the independent cultivation of individuals.
“Therefore, at the very least, we have assisted the farmers by providing essential services and support for land clearance, particularly harrowing; this has enabled them to cultivate an even greater area.”
He added that individual farmers who previously cultivated one hectare are now prepared to expand to several hectares due to the assistance they receive from both federal and state governments.
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