Posted by By Kabiru Ali on
Jigawa State, with a projected population of about 3.5 million people, is blessed with large expanse of agricultural land, rivers and flood plains suitable for crops, livestock and fish production.
DUTSE-Jigawa State, with a projected population of about 3.5 million people, is blessed with large expanse of agricultural land, rivers and flood plains suitable for crops, livestock and fish production.
Out of the 2.24 million hectares total land area of the state, about 1.6 million hectares is cultivable during the rainy season. The State is blessed with thousands of hectares of forest reserves, plantations in form of estates and shelter-belts, grazing reserves and cattle routes. Flood plains popularly known as Fadama lands occupy over 300,000 Ha.
The diversity of climate and soils across the state provides atmosphere conducive for the cultivation of a wide range of crops and production of various species of livestock.
Since its inception, Governor Ibrahim Saminu Turaki led administration identified lack of motivation and the total absence of atmosphere conducive for intensive and market-oriented agriclture to develop as the major cause of the predicament of the peasant farmers in the state. This informed government decision to formulate and uphold a policy thrust aimed at the empowering the farming families through a holistic approach to sustainable agricultural development. This approach entail the provision of the basic farm inputs to the famrers, creation of market opportunities both locally and abroad and the establishment of new and the rehabilitation of existing agro-processing factories. This is in addition to the provision of attractive incentives for investors wishing to venture into agriculture-related businesses.
The core objective of Jigawa State agricultural policy therefore is to make the peasant farmers self sufficient in food production and economically empower them by promoting the production of selected industrial and export crops to support agro-industrial growth.
Since the creation of the state, several efforts have been made towards alleviating the suffering of the farming populace through agricultural development. For example, in the recent past, the present Government entered into tripartite funding arrangements for the execution of Fadama and Agriculural Technology Development Programmes, The promotion of Mass Production of Industrial Crops, Orchards Establishment, Introduction of Modern Bee Keeping Tech nology, Agricultural Mechanisation, implementation of Special Technology Transfer Programme involving experts from people's Republic of China and the Development of Grazing Reserves are also some of popular Government initiatives.
The procurement and distribution of 1000 tractors with complete set of implements to polling units is another giant stride towards reducing drudgery and improving productivity in farming.
Others include the establishment of the necessary linkages for export of agricultural commodities to attract investors and creditors in the agricultural sector. The routine procurement and distribution of fertiliser through the polling units continued over the years with the State Government substaintially supplementing the Federal Government allocation each year.
The establishment of Jigawa State Research Institute is a major giant stride in the history of agricultural development in Jigawa State. Similarly, the establishment of agricultural trust fund. by the
CBN has tremendously made access to agricultural credit very easy by Jigawa State farmers.
In continuation of these efforts, the State is currently partnering with the International Fund for Agriculture Development in the implementation of Community-based Agriculture and Rural Development Project in 9 LGAs of the State.
Late last year the State signed a subsidiary loan agreement for the implementation of the Second Phase of the National Fadama Development Project covering 10 LGAs in the State. It is pertinent to mention that all financial and other obligations expected of the State Government have been met including payment of initial deposit of N10,000,000 and N1,000,000 for State and participating Local Governments respectively and the issue of counter part funding for both the State and participating Local Governments.
The overall objective of the National Fadama Development Project is to sustainably increase the productivity and incomes of Fadama Resources Users by empowering them to play active role in their own development by taking charge of their development agenda for poverty reduction, improvement in living conditions, food security and increased access to rural infrastructure.
-Alhaji Kabiru Ali is Commissioner for Agric extension and Research, Jigawa State.