Gov. Namadi plans large scale support for 20, 000 rice farmers

By Maduabuchi Nmeribeh/Dutse

The Jigawa State Government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with StarAgri West Africa Limited as part of efforts to boost agricultural productivity and increase support for smallholder farmers across the state.

The initiative is particularly targeting 20, 000 rice farmers across the state.

The agreement is expected to provide agricultural inputs to 20,000 rice farmers engaged in dry season farming, while also introducing targeted interventions aimed at reducing production costs and improving profitability for farmers.

The state Governor, Malam Umar Namadi, presided over the formal signing ceremony held at Government House, Dutse, in the presence of officials of StarAgri West Africa Limited, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Justice, JASCO, and members of the state’s agricultural technical committee.

The Memorandum of Understanding was formally signed on behalf of StarAgri West Africa Limited by its Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Sandy Eyal, while the Commissioner for Agriculture, Hon. Muttaka Namadi, signed on behalf of the Jigawa State Government.

Speaking at the event, Governor Namadi described the collaboration as another major milestone in the administration’s agricultural transformation agenda and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering smallholder farmers through practical and sustainable support programmes.

“Under this initiative, we are providing agricultural inputs to 20,000 rice farmers for dry season rice farming activities across Jigawa State,” he said.

According to the governor, the partnership was designed to directly address some of the major challenges confronting farmers, particularly the rising cost of agricultural inputs and energy required for irrigation farming.

“Under this initiative, the Jigawa State Government will provide a 30 percent subsidy on agricultural inputs for 20,000 rice farmers participating in dry season farming activities across the state.”

He explained that the intervention was aimed at encouraging farmers to return to the farms while ensuring that farming activities remain economically viable and profitable.

Governor Namadi further disclosed that the state government had approved the distribution of 6,000 solar-powered water pumps to participating farmers under a flexible repayment arrangement spanning two years.

The governor said that the introduction of solar-powered irrigation support would significantly reduce the burden associated with fuel and energy costs, which have become major constraints to agricultural production in recent years.

“We want our farmers not only to return to the farms but also to make meaningful profit from their farming activities. That is why we decided to subsidize inputs and support them with solar-powered irrigation facilities.

He commended StarAgri West Africa Limited for partnering with the state government and expressed optimism that the collaboration would open a new chapter in Jigawa’s drive toward agricultural modernization and food security.

Governor Namadi said the state government was prepared to sustain the partnership and leverage the company’s expertise and technical support to improve productivity among smallholder farmers.

“We have seen your commitment and interest in supporting smallholder farmers, and because of that, we are ready to continue working with you for the benefit of our people,” the governor added.